250 ZAMBEZIAN ZOOLOGY 



met with. In those portions of the country which 

 have witnessed the rapid development of the sugar 

 industry, and where formerly the great wild ox 

 was perhaps most numerous, his latter-day repre- 

 sentatives are gradually retiring, doubtless following 

 the example of the great varieties we have just 

 been considering. On the wide N'konde Plains, 

 which are washed by the southern branch of the 

 Zambezi delta, I have seen buffaloes in herds of 

 large size, and here, by reason of the small amount 

 of hunting which has been hitherto undertaken, 

 they are fairly tame, some of the older animals 

 showing at times an unpleasant disinclination to 

 make way for one. I have known them paw up 

 the turf, toss their heads threateningly, and trot for 

 some distance in my direction before suffering 

 themselves to be dispersed. 



I regard the African Buffalo as unquestionably 

 the most dangerous animal the hunter is called 

 upon to try conclusions with. Of immense power 

 and very speedy, his senses of scent, sight, and 

 hearing are so keen that, when once his resentment 

 is aroused, the greatest care and coolness must be 

 exercised to assure success and prevent a serious 

 mishap. It is perfectly ridiculous of certain writers 

 on African great game to make definite statements 

 regarding the Buffalo's behaviour in given circum- 

 stances. I have killed a number of these animals 

 in the course of my experiences, and have witnessed 

 determined charges by them in circumstances in 

 which, had I paid regard to the dogmatic remarks 

 of irresponsible writers, I should have considered I 

 had nothing to fear. These charges took place 



