THE GAME OF UGANDA AND THE EASTERN CONGO. l6^ 



Crocodiles are numerous in the Nile, and just below the Murchison Falls at Fajao 

 are found in immense numbers. There is there a small bay, along the shores of 

 which some hundreds of these reptiles used to congregate and lie together in a 

 dense mass. By approaching quietly one was able to get within a hundred 

 yards of them before they would take alarm. The whole shore would then 

 appear to be moving down into the river as the hoards scuttled into the 

 water, jostling and pushing each other, stirring up the mud, and making the water 

 seethe and foam. 



The commoner buck, such as Uganda kob and waterbuck, are plentiful on the 

 shores of the Bahr-al-Gebel, and a little blue duiker is to be had. On the Congo side 

 of the Nile the Congo buffalo is found near Mahagi, and is plentiful there. This 

 buffalo is redder than the Cape buffalo, the coloration being of marked degree in 

 the young, but not so great in the females. 



Elephants are numerous almost everywhere in the enclave, and are found in 

 enormous herds of several hundreds. The old bulls appear generally to be 

 obtained in denser country farther back from the river. The elephants of the 

 enclave are particularly dangerous, as the herds of females do not, as a rule, 

 stampede on being alarmed, but, on the contrary, often appear anxious to 

 investigate and satisfy themselves as to the cause of the alarm. The old bulls, 

 on being disturbed, will often make off downwind for a short distance, and then 

 wait in thick cover scenting and listening for the approach of anything following 

 them. Tusks each of one hundred pounds and over are not uncommon both there 

 and in Uganda. 



The white, or square-lipped, rhino is found only on the left bank of the Nile. He 

 ranges, roughly speaking, from Wadelai (Belgian) to the northern border of the enclave, 

 and appears to be found nowhere beyond two to three days' journey back from the 

 Nile, and in no other part of Africa. I have not heard of a case of a white rhino 

 being seen on the right bank of the Nile, nor have I heard of a case of a black rhino 

 being seen in the habitat of the square-lipped rhino. The square-lipped rhino is very 

 much larger in size than the common rhino. Of other differences, his forehead 

 appears to be higher and squarer, and the base of the horn is square instead 

 of rounded. The most distinctive difference, however, is in the shape of his lips, 

 which are square instead of pointed as with his smaller congener. 



It is noticeable that nearly all the elephants of Masindi are covered with 

 old and fresh rifle wounds (inflicted by native muzzle-loaders and European breech- 

 loaders), whilst the elephants of the enclave are clean, and seldom bear any signs of 

 wounds upon them. 



