MY FIRST GIRAFFES 



permanent camp I have mentioned — I was very lucky in 

 cominfj across a herd of giraffes, for, as a rule, these animals 

 are onJy to be met with much further north on the Webbe. 



The SomaU giraffe, however, differs from the South 

 African species, the markings being much lighter and the 

 patches of colour divided into more hexagonal and sex- 

 agonal shapes. They are very difficult to approach, their 

 thin, long necks and extraordinary power of vision enabling 

 them to detect their enemies a long way off. 



Of the two I killed, one was a remarkably fine old bull, 

 which we secured after a most exciting stalk. The herd to 

 which he belonged was standing upon an elevated position 

 from whence they could keep a good look out. The wind 

 being favourable, however, I crept up, inch by inch, 

 marking a thick bush as my point of cover. 



I had my "SOO Express loaded with five and a half drams 

 of powder and solid bullets, and when within about eighty 

 yards, I took a steady aim at the bull ; the satisfactory 

 sound of the ball striking upon his mottled hide was 

 followed by his blundering forward and falling heavily on 

 his side, stone dead. 



Quickly reloading, I followed the herd — now shambling 

 along at a tremendous pace^-and by a lucky shot managed 

 to break the leg of another bull which was soon caught up 

 and despatched by my eager Somalis, ever on the look out 

 for meat. 



These were my first giraffes ; unfortunately, I had not 

 my camera with me that day, or would have photographed 

 them, for they are splendid-looking animals, though, 

 despite their great size, probably the most helpless of all the 

 bnite creation. They stand from fifteen to eighteen feet 

 in height, but for protective purposes this gives them no 

 advantage, and it is entirely to the swiftness of their pace 

 and extraordinary length of vision that they trust to for 

 '^'•otection from their enemies. 



The only other animal of any size that I met with in 

 s in:.1iland was the wild ass, which is common in sterile 

 p.nK (if the Cuban. It is a fine-looking beast with striped 

 l< l:s like a zebra, but can hardly be considered as game 

 1 1' >ni the sportsman's point of view. I shot a couple in the 

 < oursc of the expedition to preserve as specimens. 



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