32 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND 



endeavour to return to the flat as quickly as possible. Gerenuk 

 are usually seen in small herds of six or seven, consisting of one 

 buck and the remainder does. The male is very well-cared-for and 

 protected by the does. I have repeatedly had to lower my rifle 

 owing to the fact that one of the does has interposed herself in 

 front of the buck on seeing him exposed. I am convinced this is 

 more than a mere coincidence, as it has so often happened, and I 

 have never seen the buck leave the does entirely. On one occasion, 

 after following a herd up one of the flat-topped hills so common 

 in Northern Somaliland, I found, on reaching the top, that one 

 side was almost precipitous, so I drove the herd towards this side 

 and got within fifty yards of them. They stood still, not knowing 

 which way to make off'. During the whole time the buck was 

 closely surrounded by seven or eight does, which eventually huddled 

 together and jostled him off, and I never got my shot after a long 

 and tiring stalk. 



