296 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
only seen lynx on one occasion, near Lake 
Natron. 
Wild Dogs are, unfortunately, fairly numerous, and 
apparently not decreasing, though man’s hand is every¬ 
where against them. There appear to be two varieties, 
one brindled and one black and white. Wild dogs hunt 
in packs ; one after the other taking up the trail as the 
leader gets exhausted. Once on the trail, their quarry 
never escapes, and they will clear a district of game 
with great celerity. They kill their prey by dis¬ 
embowelling it, and a single dog is said to be able to 
accomplish this on even a large animal like a water- 
buck, with a single tear. Lions are said to fear them, 
but I imagine that it would be a famished and bold 
pack indeed that ventured within the sweep of a lion’s 
tremendous paws. They show little fear of man, and 
will often wait snarling in a semi-circle till several of 
their number have fallen before the rifle. There is, I 
believe, however, no authenticated instance of their 
attacking human beings; though no man, however 
armed, would have a chance against a pack. 
Hycenas are of two varieties: the common, or spotted, 
and the striped. The former are ubiquitous, and the 
latter much more numerous than supposed. It may 
be remembered that the presence of the striped variety 
in the Protectorate was debated, but the question was 
set at rest by Mr. Schillings, who trapped, to prove 
his point, about 120, mostly in the northern deserts. 
I have also seen striped hyaena in the Ithanga hills, 
and round Lake Natron. The spotted hyaena is 
extremely numerous, and is a most useful scavenger. 
Certain native tribes employ him exclusively as an 
undertaker. When hungry he becomes very bold and 
is quite capable of snatching a trophy resting against 
