282 THE GAME OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA. 



place. When they get up and stand they have a habit of peering downwind as if they were 

 looking at something. They are probably listening for danger, but if the sportsman is advancing 

 from that direction he is liable to be bluffed into thinking that the animal has seen him. Rhinos 

 are very fond of lying in thick and tangled long-grass country. When lying down in such grass 

 they are not visible, but when they get your wind they generally stand up at once. It is risky 

 following spoor downwind in such country or in bush. 



If circumstances compel the sportsman to move across the wind in this kind of country a 

 constant look-out should be kept downwind and over the shoulder. For one may pass quite 

 close to a party of rhinos lying down without seeing them, and if they are downwind of him they 

 will probably get his wind and stand up just after he has passed them. 



Rhinos, whether hit in brain, heart, or lungs, are more often found dead in a sitting position 

 than lying on the side. 



A female will often leave a young calf lying down whilst she grazes round for a little 

 while and then returns to it. 



Sharpening Horns. — A rhino can sharpen both back and front horns on a stone. The long, 

 thin anterior horns of the females are constantly getting broken, and are then gradually 

 sharpened again. 



This is the reason that old females are so often seen with short horns only a foot or so long. 

 In hilly country rhinos will often choose a spur on which to lie when the wind is blowing 

 down the spur. In such a position they can probably hear better anything approaching from 

 downwind or from a flank. 



Sores on Underside. — They almost invariably have open sores on the undersides of their 

 bellies where the skin is thin and soft. Drops of blood from these sores may sometimes be seen 

 where the animals have been lying. The friction of thorns and grass, together with the gigantic 

 ticks which are generally found on this part of the body, are probably the cause. Schillings 

 speaks of one sore about the size of a crown which is always found in the same spot. I have never 

 been able to find this particular sore, but have always noticed a sore or sores varying in size from a 

 sixpence to a dessert-plate, and varying in number from one to three or four. The same writer 

 mentions that long vertical gashes are found on the sides of hippos and rhinos, but not on elephants. 

 Elephants fight by prodding with the tusks, and on occasions when they have caught a hunter 

 they generally try to prod him when on the ground. Wounds and scars on elephants are generally 

 circular or short gashes. A rhino fights by tossing his head, an action which produces a ripping 

 wound. Hippos also tear long straight gashes with their teeth. In the distance a rhino looks 

 more like a great pig than anything else. When alarmed, it sticks its tail straight up in the air 

 as does a warthog. Where they have not been much disturbed they often graze on the plains 

 by day and retire to the forest by night. Where they have been disturbed they often reverse 

 this proceeding. The sight of rhinos strolling about unconcernedly in the open plains is year by 

 year growing more unusual in the neighbourhood of familiar shooting-grounds. 



The game-ranger's report of 1903 speaks of rhinos as being numerous on the Athi Plains. 

 At the present day they are practically never seen in the unreserved portion of these plains, while 

 they are seldom seen in the open even in the game reserve. As time goes on, doubtless they will 

 become rare objects even on the more remote plains. However, in the bush bordering the plains 

 they are still common. 



Rhino Birds. — In the more civilised parts of the Protectorate the rhinos appear to have 

 learnt how to tell the approach of man by the behaviour of the tick-birds accompanying them. 



