96 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



he can spring out upon his chosen prey. A little mani- 

 pulation of the natural covert, and a convenient screen 

 is formed, behind which, camera in hand, we may sit or 

 crouch. 



The breeze blows gently towards us from the bush. 

 And now a large herd of impala is seen on the edge of 

 the latter, slowly emerging and approaching the river. 

 As they came out on the bank above us, they gradually 

 spread out, some resting in the shade, some grazing, 

 nibbling tender shoots, or tops of young reeds ; while a 

 few old and experienced ewes keep a sharp look-out 

 towards the bush which they have just left. Quite 

 suddenly a detachment of a dozen or so walks rapidly 

 down to drink : these will be mostly ewes and young 

 rams whose horns have not yet attained the lyre-shaped 

 curve of maturity. Mark how each animal stands as 

 far back from the water as is consistent with being able 

 to touch the surface with the extremity of the nozzle : 

 the weight is thrown back upon the hindquarters ; every 

 muscle is braced for an instantaneous spring. Their 

 enemies dwell in the water as well as on dry land, and 

 shallow as the former is at this spot, never for a moment 

 do they take anything for granted. 



Hardly have the heads been lowered than there comes 

 a quick snort of alarm, and in the wink of an eyelid each 

 impala is a dozen feet from the water, every sense strained 

 to the utmost. Cautiously once more they approach, 

 a few anxious sips, and they depart at the same rapid 

 walk at which they came, to give place to another de- 

 tachment ; and so it goes on until all have satisfied their 

 thirst. An old ram, the patriarch of the herd, usually 

 the last to leave, stands staring steadily backwards for a 

 few moments before leisurely joining the remainder. 

 Like the others of his sex, perhaps because accustomed 



