4i6 ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA chap. 



numberless opportunities of comparing it — both alive and 

 dead — with the form of Burchell's (I think called now Grant's) ^ 

 inhabiting the same region, the two species ranging side by 

 side, not only in the same country, but often associating in the 

 same herd ; and I am therefore, perhaps, qualified to judge of 

 the outward appearance of these animals in the flesh. Mounted 

 specimens are of very little value as a means of estimating the 

 size and shape of animals, unless accurate measurements have 

 been taken of the beast when freshly killed, as a guide to the 

 operator in the difficult process of mounting. The skin shrinks 

 out of all shape in drying, and when relaxed ma}' be stretched 

 to anything ; there is nothing more pliable and easily adaptable 

 to any size or form, by suitable manipulation, than a slack 

 hide.' 



I find it stated that Equus grcvyi is a slight, slender beast, 

 approaching to the true or mountain zebra " in build. I have 

 never seen the latter, but have always understood that it is the 

 smallest of the zebras. Now Grevy's is far and away the 

 biggest. So far from being of slight build, it is an immensely 

 powerful upstanding animal, at least twice the size of its small 

 congener. I think the measurements I give are sufficient to 

 prove this. It is more horse-like in its appearance and action 

 than the smaller species, though, curiously, its cry has more 

 resemblance to that of the ass and its ears are larger (the 

 difference being more in width than length, though) than its 

 neighbour's. The hoofs illustrate the difference in type as 

 well as anything. Their paces are also characteristic. The 

 small zebras, when alarmed, start off at a short donkey canter, 



1 I am inclined to think, though, that it differs from that variety (the type of which 

 came from farther south) just as Grant's does from Chapman's. 



- I would suggest that travellers should take careful measurements of rare animals, 

 whose skins they intend to bring home for the purpose of being mounted, immediately 

 after death. Without such aid it is impossible, even for such a skilful and artistic 

 naturalist as Mr. Rowland Ward, to produce a life-like image — true to nature in every 

 proportion — in the case of animals unrepresented in the Zoo. 



^ (Never found, I believe, an\•^vhere except in the extreme southern end of the 

 continent. ) 



