6 MK. C, \V. HOBL!::V ON THE 



as long as the reserves are maintained and contain any game, so- 

 long will there be lions ; in fact, a reasonable supply of lions is, I 

 consider, a sine qua non in a reserve, for they clear off the Aveak- 

 lings and the sick, forming part of nature's scheme in a natural 

 assemblage of animals mainly composed of herbivores. Curiously 

 enough, however, during the war they increased out of proportion, 

 for although aii enormous amount of game was shot by the 

 troops, the lions were not hunted to any extent. 



The result of this was that game being scarce in the area of 

 military opeiations, numbers of lions became cattle eaters, and 

 the Masai herds which tenant the Southei-n Game Eeserve have 

 suffered heavily ; I believe that the Game Department has had to 

 take steps to reduce the number of lions there during the last 

 year or two. It is not easy to understand what normally limits- 

 the number of lions ; one never sees a lion which has died of 

 starvation or disease, and lions which are shot always appear to 

 be in a fair condition, but some cause luidoubtedly does oj^erate 

 in a natural assemblage to preserve the proportion of carnivores 

 to herbivores. 



Considerable troops of lions are sometimes seen, but it is rare. 

 Sir Frederick Jackson recorded a troop of 23 near Lukenya ; the 

 largest troop I have seen myself Avas 11, made up of 1 male, 

 4 females, and 6 half-grown cubs, neor Xgong, where I Avatched 

 the adults opened out in echelon on a hillside, hunting a herd of 

 zebra, the cubs being assembled under a tree Avatching the 

 performance, and doubtless learning the art. 



Lions haA'e noAv been Avell-nigh abolished in the older settled 

 areas and necessarily so, for no one can successfully farm stock 

 in a country Avhere lions are common. There are still, hoAvever, 

 but feAv places where domestic stock could safely be allowed to 

 stay out in a pasture all night. 



Rhinoceros. — This curious beast has sufiered se'/erely of recent 

 years, and great numbers hav-e been killed. The gi-eater pro- 

 portion inhabited the open plains and Avere thus conspicuous to 

 sportsmen. They haA'e irritable natures and have a stupid habit 

 of charging doAvn on anything that annoys their sense of smell. 

 In hundreds of cases this has induced their death, for many a man 

 has had to shoot a rhino in self-defence. I have myself had 

 several narroAv shaves owing to their sudden attacks. 



Many Avere killed during the Avar in the southern portion of 

 the Game Reserve by the troops of both forces. 



The high price Avhich rhino horns have commanded in the Far 

 East during the last few years has, moreover, proved an induce- 

 ment to the native hunters to slaughter these animals; they 

 were instigated by the Indian traders, Avho surreptitiously shipped 

 them out in considerable quantities. 



This beast does not make long migratoiy joiuneys. and, pro- 

 viding that the reserves are of ample size and contain an adequate 



