Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-12-07
From Five Years Hunting Adventures In South Africa
HABITS OF THE AFRICAN LION.


The night of the 18th was to me rather a
memorable one, as being the first on which
had the satisfaction ofhearing the deep-toned
thunder of the lions roar Although there
was no one near to inform me by what beast
the naughty and impressive sounds which
echoed through the wilderness were produc-
ed, had little difficulty in divining. There
was no mistake about it; and on hearing it |
at once knew, as well as if accustomed to the
sound from my infancy, that the appalling
roar which was uttered within half mile OF
me was no other than that of the mighty and
terrible king Of beasts. Although the digni-
fed and truly monarchical appearance ofthe
lion has long rendered him famous among his
fellow quadrupeds, and his appearance and
habits have oftener been described by abler
pens than mine, nevertheless | consider that
a few remarks, resulting from my own per-
sonal experience, formed by tolerable long
acquaintance with him, both by day and by
night, may not prove uninteresting to the
reader. There is something so noble and
imposing in the presence of the lion, when
seen walking with dignifed selfpossession,
free and undaunted, on his native soil, that
no description can convey an adequate idea
of his striking appearance. The lion is ex-
quisitely formed by nature for the predatory
habits which he is destined to pursue. Com
bining in comparatively small compass the
qualities of power and agility, he is enabled,
by means of the tremendous machinery with
which nature has gifted him, easily to over
come and destroy almost every beast of the
forest, however superior to him in weight and
stature.
Though considerably under four feet in
height, he has little difficulty in dashing to
the ground and overcoming the lofty and ap-
parently powerful giraffe, whose head towers
above the trees Of the forest, and whose skin
is nearly an inch in thickness The lion is
the constant attendant of the vast herds OF
buffaloes which frequent the interminable
forests of the interior; and full grown one,
SO long as his teeth are unbroken, generally
proves a match for an old bull buffalo, which
in size and strength greatly surpasses the
most powerful breed of English cattle: the
lion also preys on all the larger varieties of
the antelopes, and on both the varieties of
the gnoo. The zebra, which is met in large
herds throughout the Interior, is also ia
vorite object of his pursuit.
Lions do not refuse, as has been asserted.
TO feast upon the venison that they have not
killed themselves. | have repeatedly dis
covered lions of all ages which have taken
possession of, and were ieasting upon, the
of various game quadrupeds which
had fallen before my rife The lion is very
difused throughout the secluded
parts of Southern Africa. He is, however,
nowhere met with in great abundance, it be-
ing very rare to find more than three, or
even two, families of lions frequenting the
same district and drinking at the same foun-
tain. When a greater number were met
with, l remarked that it was owing to long
protracted droughts, which, by drying all the
had compelled the game of various
districts to crowd the remaining springs, and
the lions, according to their custom, follow
ed in the wake. i: is a common thing to
come upon full-grown lion and lioness as
with three or four large young ones
nearly full-grown; a, other times, full-grown
males will be found associating and hunting
together in happy state of friendship: two,
hree, and four full-grown male lions NAV
hus be discovered consorting together.
The male lion is adorned with a long
-ank, shaggy name, which in some instances
almost sweeps the ground. The color of
hese names varies, some being very dark,
md others of a golden yellow. This appear
lnce has given rise to prevailing opinion
lmoDg the beers that there are two distinct
'arieties of lions, which they distinguish by
he respective names Of "Schwart fore life''
md ''Chiel fore life" this idea, however. is
erroneous. The color of the lions name is
generally influenced by his age. He attains
lis name in the third year of his existence
have remarked that at first it is of yell
owish color; in the prime of his life it is
lackest, and when he has numbered many
ears, but still is in the full enjoyment of his
over, it assumes yellowish-gray, pepper
nd-salt sort of color. These old fellows are
unning and dangerous, and most to be
readed. The females are utterly destitute |
"a name, being covered with short, thick,
lossy coat of twany hair. The names and
oats of lions frequenting open-lying districts
tterly destitute Of trees, such as the borders
f the great Kalahari desert, are more rank
nd handsome than those inhabtins forest
istricts.
One Of The most striking things connected
nth the lion is his voice, which is extremely
rand and peculiarly striking. 1t consists at
ines of low, deep moaning, repeated five
r six times, ending in family audible sighs;
other times he startles the forest with loud
solemn roars, repeated FIVE or
tx times in quick successions, each increas-
10 in loudness to the third or fourth, when
is voice dies away in five or six low, mufil-
sounds, very much resembling distant
,under. AT times, and not unfrequently,
-oop may be heard roaring in concert, one
ssuming the lead, and two, three, or four
lore regularly taking up their parts, like
ersons singing a catch. Like our Scottish
ags at the rutting season, they roar loudest
cold, frosty nights; but on no occasions
re their voices to be heard in such perfec-
on, or so intensly powerful, as when two or
'ree strange troops of lions approach a
untain to drink at the same time. When
lis OCCURS, every member Of each troop
,unds a bold roar Of defiance at the oppo- {
te parties; and when one roars, all roar to- {
ether, and each seems to vie with his COM {