22 THE GAME OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA, 



shooting, the usual shooting in this country, which consists of running about on an 

 open plain after semi-tame animals, offers little or no attractions. However, to the 

 mere trophy-hunter such country is a paradise, as, without the smallest knowledge 

 of bushcraft, he can obtain a large bag in a brief time. 



Apart from the plains, there is much of the country, little visited by the average 

 sportsman, in which the hunter can even now practise his art undisturbed. 



On the plains there is, indeed, much to see of the different animals and their 

 habits. There is a fascination in the intimate way one may watch their doings, 

 which it is impossible to enjoy in the forest and bush. Here I am, quite a reformed 

 character, the desire to hunt and slay being wholly allayed, except very occasionally 

 when driven hard by the exigencies of the pot. 



So of the plain I will talk as a spectator and as an open-air naturalist, not as a 

 slaughterer. In the forest and bush, perhaps, I may be pardoned for occasionally 

 forgetting to play the role of a disinterested observer and being enticed into the chase. 

 For here are animals requiring all one's wits to circumvent and which have all the 

 odds in favour of escape. Here also are trophies seldom bagged, and animals 

 seldom studied or even seen. 



If every sportsman returned from this country with a selection of forest and 

 thick bush dwelling animals in his bag much more would doubtless be known 

 concerning them. As it is, their lives have much of mystery about them. What 

 is it that prompts one to interest oneself in such animals and to neglect the homely 

 hartebeest ? First and foremost, it is the science and difficulty of the chase which 

 attracts, which are interests wholly absent on the plains. It is also the desire to 

 get out of the common groove, to be away from the majority of mankind; and, 

 again, it is prompted by the same feelings which, in Africa, make one move camp 

 when one hears that there is another white man camping near. 



The methods used in bagging game on the plain and in the bush are so 

 very different that I shall distinguish them by the two words, " shooting " and 

 "hunting." It is to be understood that shooting will be used for the plain, and 

 hunting for the bush. The difference between these terms will be explained in a 

 subsequent chapter. 



Firstly, it may be as well to endeavour to show what are the chief influences 

 at work affecting the characteristics of game. Secondly, what effect, if any, these 

 influences have on the game of this country as compared with that of other parts 

 of Africa. 



It is well known that various influences cause the same species of animal in 

 different parts of the world to contract greatly differing habits. In many cases local 



