Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/357

Rh in hand, in quest of wild beasts in a wild country. To the zoological reader the crack of the rifle and the details of the death of the victim are perhaps rather too much in evidence; we would rather have more particulars of the animal's life than description of the method of his quitting it. However, all learning is by much travail, zoology not being an exception to the rule; and the careful reader will find very many natural history records not obtainable elsewhere, many corroborations of traditional statements, and some corrections of hearsay information. Thus we read of the Crocodiles as found near Chinde:—"They may often be seen lying fast asleep on the sand-banks with their jaws open; and the disputed fact can be verified by any observer with a pair of field-glasses, that the Spur-winged Plovers not only warn the Crocodiles of the approach of danger by their plaintive cries, but act as tooth-picks for the saurians, picking out what are evidently considered dainty bits from between the great teeth."

An Appendix of Zoological Field Notes concludes the volume. Mr. Kirby is as a rule unable to detect any difference between the Lion of Central and that of South Africa, though he thinks "male Lions with dark skins (dark grey or brown shaded) and full black or blackish brown manes occur less frequently north than south of the Zambesi." Seasonal colouration appears to obtain in the Eland (Taurotragus oryx). "The colour of Elands in Central Africa varies much in individuals, especially in the winter time, when many shades of yellow, dun, and tawny may be observed, as well as darker shades inclining to deep slatecolour amongst the old bulls. During the rains, when their hides are sleeker, a tawny dun predominates among the cows and young animals, while the bulls become darker." This is a book in which much interesting information will be never used, as it lacks an index.