THE AFRICAN BUFFALO 247 



smaller and scraggier than wild ones ; they do best in low wet dis- 

 tricts, where they can wallow freely, but are also kept even in the 

 mountains. In Calcutta they are commonly seen working in the 

 streets, being put to pull heavy carts, such as dray-horses — unknown 

 in the East — would be used for here. 



THE AFRICAN BUFFALO 



(Bubalus coffer) 



The Buffalo of Africa differs strikingly from the Indian one in several 

 particulars ; with the same general form and black colour, it is higher 

 on the legs, and has very hairy ears and different horns, shorter than 

 those of the Indian species, and immensely expanded at their bases, 

 which in old bulls actually meet on the forehead, producing an im- 

 penetrable horny shield. At least, this is the case with the large 

 South African form, the typical Cape Buffalo ; but the species ranges 

 over Africa generally, south of the Sahara, and several of its local 

 races depart somewhat from the type. Those of Eastern Africa are 

 brown instead of black, and show some transition to the Dwarf 

 Buffalo or Bush-Cow of West Africa (Bubalus nanus), which is a 

 short-horned tawny animal, only about as big as a Jersey Cow, and 

 is often ranked as a distinct species. 



These African Buffaloes are gregarious, like the Indian species, but 

 are not so fond of water. They are all very dangerous when attacked, 

 and many accidents have happened to hunters engaged in their pursuit. 

 Their chief wild enemy is the Lion, but even he has to use discretion 

 in his attacks. 



Worse, however, than any natural enemy, and even than the 

 wasteful destructiveness of man, have been the ravages of rinderpest 

 among these animals, which in certain parts of East Africa have 

 become almost extinct, owing to contracting this disease from the 

 tame cattle of the natives. The African Buffalo itself has never been 

 domesticated, but is sometimes to be seen in Zoological Gardens. 



