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Show 614 MR. J. G. MILLAIS ON RHINOCEROS SIMUS. [Nov. 7, lately become Director, there were a pair of the Black-tailed Gnu (Connochcetes gorgon), a male and two females of Cobus sing-sine and examples of Galidia elegans and Bucorax abyssinicus. Th series of German native birds was large and contained a specimei of Melanocorypha yeltoniensis, and of several other species rarely seen in captivity. In the Zoological Garden of Cologne there were many fine Antelopes-Hippotragus equinus, Cobus sing-sing, Oryx leucoryx ( d , 2 5 et 2 jr-)> a n d Bubalis mauritanica (J,2,2,2 jr.),-besides examples of such scarce mammals as Bassaris astuta (J et $ ), Ursus ornatus, and Microcebus myoxinus. Amongst the birds Mr. Sclater had noticed specimens of Geophaps plumifera, Crax albini, Plectropterus niger, Anas andamanensis, Haliaetus branickii, and Chunga burmeisteri. The following extract was read from a letter addressed to Mr. Sclater by Mr. J. G. Millais, F.Z.S., dated " Kroonstad, Orange Free State, September 19, 1893 " :- " I have been all this year far in the heart of Eastern Mashona-land, searching for that much-desired creature the White Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros simus), and, though I did not get one, I found what was most undoubtedly its spoor and droppings. I do not at present wish to particularize the place too exactly, but it lies in the most horrible thirst-land on the earth, and it was only with considerable difficulty that I managed to get back to one of the big rivers, having nearly died of thirst. I took a small wagon, which I and our old Dutch hunter had* constructed out of wheels and logs, and this we found the donkeys could hardly pull through the dense bush, which must be passed through to get to this unholy country. On arriving at the pan where a black hunter had told m e the animals drank, we found that it was dry, and though the spot was still damp we could do nothing but make all possible haste back to the mountains, to obtain water for ourselves and our emaciated beasts. To make matters worse, m y companion was seized with dysentery. Moreover, a lion came in the night into a native village and killed three of m y best donkeys. Thus we got stuck a week without being able to move, having a real bad time with the natives, who saw our condition and would have stolen everything of value if they could. " I am quite sure the Rhinoceroses could be obtained, from what I learnt from the natives, but the country would have to be approached from an entirely different direction and with pack-donkeys. " The natives know and describe the two species of Rhinoceros quite correctly. One, the white, which they call ni combo, they say feeds only on grass, has a square mouth, and the females drive their calves in front. The black is much more savage, feeds on bushes, has a long lip, and the calves follow the mother. This shows that they know7 the animal well, although they admit that it is scarce." |
