70 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



pursuit, horses. In Matabeleland it is now uncommon, except in 

 Lobengula's own preserves, and only a few troops to-day linger 

 in Southern Mashonaland. 



The Giraife associates in herds (in South Africa styled " troops "), 

 generally numbering from eight to sixteen, and rarely exceeding 

 twenty, which, as a rule, are composed of one old bull, the remainder 

 being young males or cows. When the bull becomes so advanced 

 in age as to be no longer serviceable to the female portion of hi; 

 followers, by common consent he is driven from the troop, and some 

 more youthful aspirant steps into the position as leader of the harem. 

 These old patriarchs, so exiled, thenceforth lead a solitary life, 

 completely cut off from all communication with their fellows, and 

 emit such a peculiarly atrocious odour that it is often a matter of 

 impossibility to get a horse to gallop right up to them against the 

 wind. The cows, when heavy with young, drink often, where this 

 is possible, and when in quest of water will separate from the rest of 

 the troop, travelling long distances and braving the many dangers 

 awaiting them in the dense bush which lines most rivers in the 

 Interior of South Africa. Except on these occasions, it is seldom that 

 the Giraffe falls a victim to the Lion, and although when shot their 

 carcases have borne ample evidence, from the claw marks down the 

 back and flanks, of having at one time successfully escaped from the 

 clutches of that animal, those so mauled were almost invariably 

 cows. The bulls always range far away in the thirst tracks alto- 

 gether unfrequented by beasts of prey, except after heavy rains. A 

 Giraffe, when jumped on by a Lion, will usually rush under the 

 branches of some tree and endeavour to scrape off its deadly rider, 

 in which effort it is often successful. 



Just at the moment of going to press with this volume, an 

 extraordinary narrative, written by a gentleman well known in the 

 " thirst -lands " of South Africa, appeared in some of the London 

 papers, and which graphically described an encounter between two 

 bull Giraffes, of which he was a witness, special reference being 

 made to the "roars and shrieks" emitted by them in their struggle 

 for supremacy. In reference to this, it may be said that the ordinary 

 Giraffe (and we only know of one variety), even in its death agony, 

 never gives utterance to the slightest groan or sound. It is at all 

 times an extremely inoffensive animal, and never by any chance 

 makes use of its teeth or hind legs as weapons of defence, at least 

 against man, although the hunter should avoid riding directly in 



