234 
IN AFRICA 
ists in such large numbers in nearly every part of 
East Africa. Indeed, if a returned traveler were 
asked what animal is most typical of the country he 
would at once name the hartebeest. He sees it so 
much and so often that after a time it seems to be 
only a necessary fixture in the landscape. A horizon 
without a few hartebeests on it would seem to be 
lacking in completeness. 
Furthermore, the stranger soon learns that the 
hartebeest is commonly called by its native name, 
kongoni, and by the time his shooting trip is over 
the sight of the ubiquitous kongoni has become as 
much of his daily experience as the sight of his 
tent or his breakfast table. To me the kongoni ap¬ 
pealed most strongly because of his droll appear¬ 
ance and because of a many-sided character that 
stirs one’s imagination. 
He is big and awkward in appearance and ac¬ 
tion; his face is long and thin and always seems to 
wear a quizzical look of good humor, as if he were 
amused at something. Others besides myself have 
remarked upon this, so I am hoping that the kon¬ 
goni wore this amused look even at times when he 
was not looking at me. His long, rakish horns are 
mounted on a pedicle that extends above his head, 
thus accentuating the droll length of his features. 
His withers are unusually high and add to the awk¬ 
ward appearance of the animal. Standing, the kon¬ 
goni is a picture of alert, interested good humor; 
running, he is extremely funny, as he bounces along 
on legs that seem to be stiffened so that he appears 
