Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/426

398 more commonly known as the rinderpest, which came down the east side of Tanganyika, and swept over this country in 1893, game, especially the Buffalo, Eland, and Lechwe, is scarce in some districts. To judge from the melancholy sight of bleaching bones still evident in the sandy portions of the Mweru district, where grass grows very sparsely, game must formerly have been both abundant and of great variety. Nevertheless, the country is gradually recovering itself, and most districts are now very rich in game of all kinds. A few small herds of Buffalo are still to be met with in the country near Lake Mweru. Roan Antelope, Eland, Hartebeeste (Lichenstein's), and Zebra are plentiful all over the country, especially about the south of the Tanganyika Plateau. Immense herds of Mpala are met with on the east and west of the Luapula River. Pookoo and Lechwe are numerous in the Mweru district, and a few small herds of Pookoo have been seen in the Loangwa Valley. Sable Antelope are not frequently met with, but have been seen in the Mweru district. Around the north of Mweru Lake, and especially on Kilwa Island, Sititunga are numerous, and some very fine specimens have been obtained by hunters. Sassaby (Tsessebe) have been seen west of Lake Bangweolo, but there is no evidence of their being found in any other district. Many smaller species of Buck are well represented. The Wart-hog and Bush-pig are common in any part of the country. The natives, in their language, compare them to a plague similar to Locusts, owing to the havoc these animals do in their gardens.

Carnivora.—Amongst the Carnivora, Lions are to be found in most districts, but, owing to the vast quantities of game, rarely visit settlements. Leopards are also plentiful, and frequent mostly hilly country, but are rarely seen. The Chita (Cheetah), though rare, is found sometimes; two specimens have been obtained in the Tanganyika Plateau lately. The Hyena, both striped and spotted species, are found here; also Jackals of various kinds. Civet and Serval Cats abound in the thickets, and are often trapped by the natives, who make bags and pouches out of their skins. It is stated that the Serval Cat can be easily tamed, and becomes quite domesticated. On the banks of the rivers and lakes two kinds of Mongoose are found, which render a veritable service to mankind by their active destruction of Crocodile eggs, for which they have the greatest fondness.

Quadrumana.—In bushy country the Quadrumana excel all other animals in number and variety. The Chimpanzee inhabits the virgin forests of the Malungi country, the Black Ape is found west of Chiwalis, and Grey Monkeys are common everywhere.