234 IN AFRICA 



ists in such large numbers in nearly every part of 

 East Africa. Indeed, if a returned traveler were 

 asked what animal is most typical of the country he 

 would at once name the hartebeest. He sees it so 

 much and so often that after a time it seems to be 

 only a necessary fixture in the landscape. A horizon 

 without a few hartebeests on it would seem to be 

 lacking in completeness. 



Furthermore, the stranger soon learns that the 

 hartebeest is commonly called by its native name, 

 kongoni, and by the time his shooting trip is over 

 the sight of the ubiquitous kongoni has become as 

 much of his daily experience as the sight of his 

 tent or his breakfast table. To me the kongoni ap- 

 pealed most strongly because of his droll appear- 

 ance and because of a many-sided character that 

 stirs one's imagination. 



He is big and awkward in appearance and ac- 

 tion ; his face is long and thin and always seems to 

 wear a quizzical look of good humor, as if he were 

 amused at something. Others besides myself have 

 remarked upon this, so I am hoping that the kon- 

 goni wore this amused look even at times when he 

 was not looking at me. His long, rakish horns are 

 mounted on a pedicle that extends above his head, 

 thus accentuating the droll length of his features. 

 His withers are unusually high and add to the awk- 

 ward appearance of the animal. Standing, the kon- 

 goni is a picture of alert, interested good humor; 

 running, he is extremely funny, as he bounces along 

 on legs that seem to be stiffened so that he appears 



