356 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chap. 



apiece ; those of the smaller bull were rather the thicker, the 

 length averaging about the same.^ 



Juma and I were in great glee at our success; and I was 

 kept from feeling fagged, on the way back to camp with our 

 two tails, by the elation of a thoroughly satisfactory hunt. I 

 was especially glad that no refugees were left to scare any 

 elephants there might be ahead. Ours was a particularly 

 pleasant camping-place, too, to-day ; so that I was able to 

 enjoy in comfort the rest which the feeling of having done a 

 good day's work makes so delightful. 



In the big thorn-tree under which my tent was pitched was 

 a goose's nest. I had noticed the goose in it on our way after 

 the elephants ; but now, on my return, I saw a vulture in 

 possession. I suspected what this meant, and, on sending a 

 man up to inspect the nest, the explanation proved to be as I 

 had feared. The vulture had breakfasted on the tgg — there 

 was but one — of the goose, which our camping here had scared 

 from the protection of its home. Whether the nest was made 

 by the goose itself, or was an old one of some other bird — 

 vulture or eagle — which it had made use of, I am not sure, but 

 the empty shell was undoubtedly that of a goose's o.^^. This 

 nest was in the fork of a big bough high up from the ground. 

 A few days later I came across another goose's nest, on which 

 also the bird was sitting until I disturbed it. This one was on 

 the bushy top of a low, flat-crowned thorn-tree, in such a 

 position that we could not get at it, and just too high for me to 

 see into from Juma's shoulders ; but I should say that it, at any 

 rate, was in all probability built by the goose itself Farther 

 southward, though, along the lake, trees are scarce, while 

 Egyptian geese are in many parts very numerous, so it seems 

 hardly likely that they can all nest in trees. I suppose they 

 must keep guard over their eggs constantly from the time 



1 These teeth, when got out, weighed 86 lbs. and 835 lbs. ; and 84 lbs. and 81 lbs. 

 It is curious — and it has happened three times in ni)- experience — that bulls are ofterk 

 found in pairs whose teeth weigh almost alike. 



