In Wildest Africa ^ 



the proposals of experienced men, like Freiherr von 

 Besserer of Munich and Dr. von Bocksberger of Marburg, 

 who advocate protection even for our birds of prey, at 

 least within the Government domains. '' Let us try," 

 says Von Besserer, "still to preserve them at least 

 within certain limits. Let us grant them some few places 

 of refuge. Let us not arraign them too strictly for 

 every theft, so that future generations may also enjoy 

 the spectacle of their beautiful flight." 



And now it seems, as if on some gigantic chess board, 

 move after move is being made on the plain below us. 

 We have hardly remarked the wild species already noted, 

 when we suddenly find ourselves perplexed as to which 

 point we shall first direct our gaze to, which is to attract 

 the special attention of our eyes. To our right, two great 

 herds of zebras come rolling along, and ever as they 

 move are now plainly visible, now almost disappear, as 

 if in regular alternation. To our left, on the crest of a 

 ridge that rises there, suddenly sharply defined silhouettes 

 appear — again it is a herd of gnus, and this time clearly 

 one that numbers at least a hundred and fifty head. While 

 our attention is still attracted by this beautiful spectacle, 

 my trusty comrade Abdallah suddenly lays his hand upon 

 my arm and, only with a glance of his eyes, indicates the 

 little valley that lies stretched out below our feet. This 

 time there is good excuse for his caution. For there, 

 looking as if they were cast in bronze, two of the wonder- 

 fully beautiful giraffe-gazelles stand staring up in astonish- 

 ment at the place where we are posted. It may well be 

 that these timid children of the wilderness here had never 



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