4 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



ditions, nothing can be more amusing than to read the 

 uncompromising statements regarding the habits of certain 

 species often set down in print by superficial observers ; 

 unless it be to listen to the dogmatic assertions of 

 occasional " old hunters," regarding what must, to a great 

 extent, remain matters of pure speculation. Therefore, 

 anything the present writer may hereafter set down in 

 regard to the habits of animals must be regarded as 

 correct only in so far that it is a true record of personal 

 observations, extending over a considerable period, and 

 has no pretensions to being final. 



Timid as are the majority of antelopes when con- 

 fronted by their natural enemies, nevertheless the males 

 of all species will on occasion fight desperately with one 

 another, and deaths during these single combats are by 

 no means infrequent. Defeated animals depart to form 

 themselves into little troops of independent bachelors, 

 but when an old bull has been driven out of his herd, he 

 appears to lead thereafter a nearly solitary existence, such 

 old animals seldom being found clubbed together in bands 

 as are the younger males. Not infrequently they join 

 themselves for protection to herds of distinct species. 

 Indeed one of the commonest sights in the bushveld of 

 South Africa is that of an old wildebeest bull running 

 with a herd of impala or zebra. Generally speaking the 

 horns of these old animals are very massive throughout, 

 but have become worn from the tips downwards, so that 

 in actual length they are seldom equal to those either of 

 a good herd bull, or of the best of a troop of young males. 

 Probably the majority before long fall victims to carnivora, 

 but old animals may sometimes be found, which by luck, 

 or superior cunning, have managed to preserve their 

 lives, until their bodies are well-nigh crippled through 

 old age. 



