264 ON SAFARI 



the word is to me almost a term of opprobrium) 

 studies his copy of the Game-ordinances, he notices in 

 the schedules of game-beasts some names that puzzle, 

 others that surprise. The white-tailed gnu, for example, 

 he finds is barred : Init that he reads with considerable 

 complacency, knowing that the species does not exist 

 (and never did) within some thousands of miles of the 

 equator ; nor will the express exclusion of the mountain 

 zebra and the wild ass from his game-list concern him, 

 since neither of these inhabits the British Protectorate. 

 The mention of " chevrotain " {DorcatJieriinn) may 

 cause a passing qualm ; but it is only when he reaches 

 " Schedule 111 " that he realises to the full the advantages 

 and powers conferred on him. For in that category he 

 finds specified both our unseen friends aforesaid — the 

 aard-vaark and the aard-wolf ! True, he is limited to two 

 of each species ; but within the space of a brief twelve- 

 month, two might prove more than an ample allowance. 



In the next Schedule (IV) the "settler" — as 

 legally distinguished from the " sportsman " aforesaid — 

 is, it appears, prohibited from taking even a single 

 specimen of either of those reclusive beasts. That may 

 possibly be ascribed to one of those bright flashes of 

 humour that are occasionally permitted to illumine 

 ofiicial routine. For it seems conceivable that a settler, 

 presuming that he was permanently resident and 

 prepared to devote his whole time to the effort (with 

 pick, spade and shovel), might, within a 5^ear, succeed in 

 bringing to the light of day one of these mysterious 

 members of the unseen world I ^ 



The African scrub abounds with small cats and a 

 hundred other nocturnals that one rarely or never sees, 

 and whose very existence eyesight alone would never 

 give cause to suspect. At one camp we found ourselves 

 alongside Mr. Vernon Shaw^-Kennedy, who, with Mr. 

 Ateley of the Field-Columbian Lluseum at Chicago, was 

 collectingj the smaller mammalia for that 2:reat American 



1 The schedules have since been altered, but perhaps my mild 

 banter may stand. 



