WITH FLASH-LIGHT AND RIFLE 



grass unless it has to, as in captivity. Many animals 

 which in a state of freedom browse on leaves and tender 

 twigs of trees, bushes, and shrubs, but never or very rare- 

 ly on grass — elephants and rhinoceroses and giraffes, for 

 instance — are fed in captivity mainly on hay or fresh 

 clover and grass, as it is impossible to furnish them 

 with the enoiTnous quantities of leaves and twigs which 

 they need. It is remarkable how well most of these 

 animals adapt themselves to the change of diet and 

 how well they thrive on it. The giraffe, however, never 

 looks as well-fed in captivity as it does in freedom. 

 Many of my pictures, which were taken of the " twigga" 

 in the wilderness, clearly show this. 



Some animals, like the kudu, never get quite accus- 

 tomed to the changed conditions of cHmate and food, 

 and soon die in captivity. 



While the arid plains of the steppe are the regular 

 habitat of the giraffe, it is also met with in the mountain 

 forests. I found it in woods over six thousand feet above 

 sea-level. 



One of the most interesting and valuable pictures I 

 ever took is that of an old bull giraffe in company with 

 two aged male elephants.* I had followed the trio for 

 weeks through the forest of the western Kilimanjaro, 

 waiting for the propitious moment when the sun would 

 break through the clouds and make it possible for me 

 to take the much-desired long-distance picture. It was 



* See page 113. 

 178 



