XV 
AN UNCAGED ZOO 
In London—indeed, in all large towns possessing 
a well-stocked menagerie-—it is a favourite form of 
enjoyment, and certainly one full of instruction, to 
pass a few hours on a fine Sunday watching the’ birds, 
beasts, and reptiles in their cages. The majority of 
civilised human beings are fond of animals, and it may 
be truly written that those who are fond of animals 
rarely lack friends. In many parts of Eastern Ethiopia, 
beasts, birds, reptiles, and insects are so abundant that 
the country has been described, and not undeservedly, 
as an uncaged Zoo, and I will describe in this chapter 
how we spent a Sunday in it. 
There are certain inconveniences attendant on 
walking among uncaged animals. Some mammals 
prefer certain localities: this is especially the case 
with antelopes. The kudu and the oryx are found 
around Lake Baringo, but are rarely seen in the 
neighbourhood of Lake Nakuru. Even Grant’s gazelles 
vary in small particulars in different parts of the 
country. Moreover, the herds of game are always on 
the move ; they may abound in one district for a few 
weeks or months, and then, for reasons which to us are 
obscure, move away to some distant place. 
In order to see all the animals in this uncaged Zoo, 
the visitor must travel sometimes great distances, 
endure much fatigue, often hardship, and exhibit 
patience in its best form. In wandering about he must 
also use eyes and ears to find the animals, and when 
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