16 MOSTLY MAMMALS 



we further learn, from contrast with the bushbucks, that 

 when the ground-colour is fawn or rufous the intervals 

 between the white stripes must be large, while in the case 

 of a black ground such intervals are no greater than the 

 width of the stripes. Whether such modifications of the 

 pattern according to the shade of the ground-colour produce 

 the same effect in forest or brushwood, can be learnt only 

 by actual observation, and here again we must look to the 

 sportsman. 



As regards the Somali giraffe, those who have had the 

 opportunity of seeing Lord Delamere's photographs can 

 scarcely fail to notice that the type of coloration differs 

 markedly from that of the common species, while the 

 animal itself appears to be found in much more jungly 

 country than is the case with the former. In place of 

 having a buff ground-colour blotched with large irregular 

 chocolate patches, the Somali giraffe is a liver-coloured 

 animal marked with a coarse network of fine white lines, 

 the type of coloration coming very close to that of some 

 of the smaller bushbucks. Clearly this colouring is an 

 adaptation for a mode of life not very different from that 

 of the bushbucks, whereas the coloration of the ordinary 

 giraffe is suited to an animal dwelling in open plains 

 dotted here and there with tall scattered trees. The two 

 types of coloration are, in fact, precisely analogous to 

 those of Grevy's zebra as compared with Burchell's zebra, 

 the one being a dweller in brushwood and the other in 

 open country. The Somali giraffe has not, however, ac- 

 quired the broad ears of essentially forest animals like its 

 cousin the okapi, and for a very sufficient reason. The 

 brushwood amid which this giraffe is commonly found 

 does not reach more than half-way up its neck, as is 

 clearly shown in the photographs already alluded to, so 



