170 THE LION 



the average in size. His length unskinned from 

 nose to tail was 10 ft. 2| in. ; height at shoulder, 

 3 ft. 6| in. ; maximum girth, 4 ft. 5 in. 



Lions in my experience, on the rare occasions 

 when I have met with them by daylight, never 

 occur in the large parties in which they have 

 been reported in South Africa, Rhodesia, and 

 elsewhere. The most I have ever seen together 

 were five, but more frequently, I think, they are 

 found in pairs, or two males hunting together. 

 Although, of course, essentially nocturnal, it 

 is by no means unusual for them to hunt during 

 the daylight hours, when, in the case of two or 

 three acting in concert, their proceedings appear 

 to be regulated by a well-understood, precon- 

 certed plan. Thus, one, told off for the purpose, 

 will very skilfully round up a herd of whatever 

 animals they may have designs on, and, grunting 

 noisily, will shepherd them to the spot where 

 the partners are concealed. Should the attempt 

 prove abortive, they will all move forward and 

 repeat it, but if successful they will remain on 

 the spot, if undisturbed, probably through the 

 night, going off to water at dawn, after which 

 they will lie up for the dayj possibly revisiting 

 the remains at night again, or possibly not. If 

 hunting singly, nothing can exceed the astonish- 

 ing quietness with which the lion approaches 

 his prey, and always up wind. No well-fed, 

 pampered Persian cat ever crossed the velvety 

 drawing-room carpet more noiselessly. On 

 arriving, all unsuspected, at the required point, 

 he makes one lightning dash, usually seizing 



