302 After Big Game in Central Africa 



mentioning what I have noticed without attempting an 

 explanation. 



The rhinoceros' sense of smell is extremely keen, al- 

 most as much so as that of the elephant. As with the latter, 

 also, its eye and ear are imperfect. The animal trots and 

 gallops with extraordinary swiftness, but its usual gait is 

 a slow walk, always with lowered head. 



It is fond of dark impenetrable thickets, and, during the 

 dry season, when the grass is burnt, it passes the whole day 

 there. When the grass is very long, it is common to meet 

 it on the plains in the shadow of large trees. At nightfall 

 it sets off in search of food, and generally reaches water, 

 as I have stated in Chapter X., either about ten o'clock 

 in the evening or before daybreak in the morning, save 

 exceptions. Strictly speaking, it does not travel ; but it is, 

 nevertheless, a great walker. When it has chosen a district 

 it does not generally leave it ; there it has two or three 

 favourite spots, often a long distance apart, where it goes in 

 the morning to rest, after having covered sometimes thirteen 

 miles during the night in marches and counter-marches. It 

 often remains outside the whole day in cloudy and rainy 

 weather, and, as it is very suspicious, the presence of men 

 in its vicinity is sufficient to make it totally change its 

 habits. 



Rhinoceros are generally alone or in pairs. They are 

 fond of roots, cacti of all sorts, and certain other plants ; 

 they do not eat much straw. They take great pleasure 

 after drinking in wallowing in mud, with which they cover 

 themselves from head to foot. 



Insectivorous birds rid them of many of their 

 parasites while they are walking about in the daytime. 

 During the hot hours of the day the pachyderm lies down 

 on its side like a horse, and goes to sleep with its nose to 

 the wind. When its sleep is heavy, you often see a white 

 froth around its mouth. At that moment you can, by 

 exercising infinite precautions, and on condition that the 



