1 8 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



A dangerous beast to encounter in its native wilds (the Lion is 

 a veritable coward when compared with it), the intrepid hunter has 

 to exhibit considerable pluck, coolness and daring in successfully- 

 withstanding the fierce onslaught of a Cape Buffalo, more especially 

 if a wounded animal is being dealt with. The beast can charge with 

 no uncertain aim, and is, of course, largely aided by the strong 

 horns with which it is supplied. 



Bold, fearless, courageous, we see here a wild monarch which 

 many a hunter has just cause to remember, and although Mr. Selous 

 has related many instances of almost certain death from starvation, 

 fever and the attacks of wild animals^ he never came nearer to 

 being launched into eternity than when he came face to face with 

 a ferocious bull of this species. 



It is stated that two powerful Lions are required to pull down 

 an adult male, and at night the cows resort to the method of "Union 

 is strength," and contrive between them to ward off the attacks of 

 night prowlers, and so shield their calves. 



In an analysis of game shot by Mr. Selous in Africa in the years 

 1877-1880, one hundred head of Buffaloes are included, and, exclud- 

 ing 304 various kinds of Antelopes shot in the same period and 

 under the same auspices, the list given in A Hunter's Wanderings 

 is as under — 



Black Rhinoceros 

 Buffalo . 

 Crested Bustard 

 Elephant 

 Giraffe . 

 Hippopotamus 

 Lion 

 Ostrich . 

 Spotted Hyaena 

 Wart Hog 

 White Rhinoceros 

 Zebra (Burchell's) 



10 

 100 



6 

 20 

 18 



4 

 13 



3 



3 

 17 



2 



48 



Total head, excluding 304 Antelopes . 244 

 These figures will, in a way, give some idea of the animals 

 encountered and their comparative distribution, but it is only fair 

 to state, in view of Mr. Selous's own words, that "some people may 

 consider it a dreadful record of slaughter," the figures given do not 



