HUNTING ON THE SIMBA RIVER 243 
shrubs. HacI he entered that, he was lost; but second 
thoughts negatived the probability, for such are not the 
spots beloved of rhino. Anxious moments succeeded 
when, on the stony ground, no spoor could be discovered, 
and I directed Yama to proceed direct to the thorn-tree 
of the original “ view.” On our way thither we struck 
wood-hoopoe (Irrisor erythrorhynchus). 
Brilliant in lustrous reflections of deep greens and purples. 
the three-toed spoor, and, following this, soon ascertained 
that (as anticipated) the animal had shunned the ravine ; 
turning to his left, he had crossed over the mountain- 
ridge, or “neck,” high above. 
Beyond this was a saucer-shaped depression full of 
low trees and bush, fairly thick—not a comfortable spot 
for tracking, as we could rarely see over twenty yards. 
Here, presently, we walked right into the rhino in his 
