236 BIG GAME SHOOTING 
CHAPTER XII 
THE LION 
By F. J. JAckson 
THE lion (& Zo), known to the natives as ‘Simba,’ when 
described as ‘ King of the African forests,’ is, I venture to say, 
altogether misnamed, as he has neither the awe-inspiring and 
majestic bearing of the elephant, nor the viciousness and in- 
domitable pluck of the buffalo. His roar when heard pretty 
close to camp on a still night is certainly very grand, more 
particularly when two or more lions are together, and this must 
be heard to be thoroughly appreciated. I have twice heard a 
troop of lions roaring inside thick forest, close to my camp, 
which was pitched just outside in the open. The continuous 
chorus of roars they emitted was quite extraordinary, as it 
vibrated and rolled along through the trees, the foliage of 
which appeared to confine and intensify the volume of 
sound. 
When seen out in the open there is absolutely nothing ma- 
jestic in the bearing of lions ; their heads are carried low down 
below the line of their backs, as they slouch along their hind- 
quarters have an appearance of weakness, and when seen from 
behind sway and wobble from side to side, while the up-and- 
down movement of their shoulder-blades at each step, and their 
general appearance of looseness, do not add to their dignity. 
Certainly a maned lion, when standing broadside on or facing, 
with head erect, is a grand-looking beast ; but when galloping 
or trotting away on being disturbed, with head held low down, 
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