76 SAFARI 



around after each other, kicking and snorting and 

 fighting. Of course this stirs up the alkaH dust in big 

 clouds. As the fighting animals run through the 

 herds they are snapped at by the others who are 

 much irritated. But hardly has one pair finished 

 their fracas when another pair starts off. 



All during the day birds come down to drink. 

 These are fine Kavarando crane, several varieties of 

 storks, heron, hawks, and others. Big vulttires come 

 down and stand in the water. They are very 

 picturesque with their fine six-foot spread of wings. 

 For hours they hold their wings out, apparently to 

 cool off their bodies. 



When some animal decides to venture to water, all 

 stir. Often I have counted many hundreds of head 

 grouped about. Zebra, especially follow the lead of a 

 courageous one like so many sheep. If he starts to 

 drink then they all try to drink with him. But 

 let one get the slightest start and away go the whole 

 herd in a cloud of dust. Some days the game is so 

 nervous that a fly or a bee will set them all moving. 

 I have never been able to get a big bunch drinking 

 at the same time. 



Of course the reason for this nervousness lies in fear 

 of carnivorous animals which are never far away. 

 Lions, leopards and hyenas live on the plains. Their 

 bread and butter consists of zebra and giraffe. None 

 can tell which will be the next victim in the daily 



