84 THE GAME OF THE NOETH KAVIRONDO 
The giant pig occurs in considerable numbers in the Elgon 
forests. The skins are valued for shields, but both this and 
the bush pig are treated with considerable respect by the 
inhabitants. 
The bush pig occurs both in Kakamega and Elgon forests. 
Carnivores include among their representatives otter, 
lion, leopard, serval cat, gennet and hyaena ( crocuta and 
striata). 
Otter are common on the rivers and in the lake. Their 
spoor is frequently seen, but the animal itself but rarely. The 
skins are valued by the Kavirondo who capture them in their 
fish traps. Its diet appears to include the fresh-water crabs 
common in all streams, but the claws are usually left intact and 
rejected. 
The lion is scarce but occurs along the eastern boundary 
and in division No. 8 of the district. They are much feared 
by the Kavirondo. 
The leopard is scantily distributed over the whole district, 
occurring occasionally in very unexpected places. Probably 
these occurrences are due to a travelling animal. 
In the Elgon forest the leopard appear to be common, those 
on the higher slopes developing magnificent fur. They have 
practically finished the goats of the forest- dwelling Nyarusi. 
They may be heard any night when the traveller is camped in 
the vicinity of the mountain. 
The serval cat appears at intervals whenever there is suffi- 
cient bush for cover. It draws a great part of its food from the 
hens of the natives. It is easily killed with the aid of dogs, as 
it will ascend a tree on being attacked. 
The common gennet ( Genetta vivena) likewise is widely 
distributed. 
The most plentiful carnivore is undoubtedly the spotted 
hyaena (. H . crocuta), who is ubiquitous. They do not confine 
their attentions solely to carrion, but will attack and destroy 
a lost calf or sheep. Recently, while cattle have been dying of 
rinderpest, their call is very much in evidence near infected 
villages. They are greatly disliked by the natives. 
In the Tatzoni country, near the Nzoia, the striped hycena 
(. Hyaena striata) occurs. 
