275 
CHAPTER XV 
OSTRICHES AND GIRAFFES 
By F. J. JACKSON 
THE two species of game most difficult to approach are the 
giraffe and the ostrich. Their watchfulness and powers of scent 
equal those of other game, and if anything their sight is even 
more extraordinary. Besides these wonderfully developed 
senses, they possess a tremendous advantage over other game 
in their great height, being able to easily see over covert amply 
sufficient to conceal the approach of the stalker from the view 
of other animals. 
Giraffes (Giraffa cameloparda/is) were a few years ago fairly 
mumerous in places suited to their habits, but I am told that 
a good many of them have fallen victims to the same disease 
which has destroyed the buffaloes. Still there are plenty left. 
Giraffes are very partial to the table-topped mimosas, on which 
they principally feed, and should be sought for in places where 
these trees abound. As a rule, they are found in small herds 
_ of six or eight, sometimes up to twenty or more, but solitary 
__ individuals are occasionally met with. 
_ Giraffes kept in confinement give very little idea of the adult 
beast in a wild state. The wild one is not only much taller, 
_ but very much more bulky, and would weigh at least half 
' as much again as any beast that was until lately to be 
g seen in the Zoological Gardens. They are also very much 
|| darker in colour. The meat of the giraffe is not, as a rule, 
|| much appreciated by the Zanzibari porters, and some of them 
_ will not touch it. This isnot from any religious or superstitious 
= T2 
