The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-11-19

On one occasion indeed. after some
three hours painful "squirming' on
his stomach. the narrator actually sue
ceeded in finding a spot stu warm
where one of these animals had re
Gently been lying down: but even then
he must have been detected while still
a long way on Usually these hippos
seem TO commence their wanderings
about dusk. although a notable excep
zion 70 this was the behavior OF a large
specimen seen at Daru in broad day.
night This, however. appears TO
have been very exceptional behavior
since not one of the numerous native
hunters questioned on this subject by
Capt. Murray could recall similar
instance.
Whenever possible these hippos seem
TO relish mud-bath. and II there be
suitable spot in the nelghborhood
| Il Is generally safe TO say that II will
have its nightly visitants. The ami
mails plunge completely into such wal
lows. where they roll and splash for
quite an hour at a time. On one Of
/ ANt ltN OttuclOuh On Wilfn Aht
rator was tolerated in the vicinity OF
a pigmy hippo for any length OF time,
he happened to be seated In a tree,
almost directly above the spot where
the animal was enjoying its bath. Tho
night was lnky black. and shot would
| have been too cruel 10 think OF.
The clear water OF the rivers does
rot seem to offer much attraction to
the hippo. although Capt Murray saw
one use a river as a means of escape.
This was at Daru. In Sierra Leone.
where full-grown individual was seen
In broad daylight feeding on the left
bank OF the Moa river. although close
at hand natives we're crossing the rail
way bridge. chattering and shouting
as only negroes can. while directly OPP
posite ON the right bank we're the
West African Frontier Force barracks
and some men bathing In front OF
them. Altogether a deal OF noise was
being made on both sides, OF which,
however. the pigmy took not the slight.
est notice A shot was fired. which
struck the water some three yards
short OF the bank on which II was
quietly feeding. when. after hesitating
for a SECOND. II dived ia head first and
was never seen again, although. both
up and down stream. long stretches OF
the river were in full view. From
this and other instances Il may be in
ferred that these animals have the
power OF remaining under water for a
long time. and. while doing so. OF COW
ering a considerable distance.
The pigmy hippopotamus appears to
BE gifted with wonderful power OF
sight On certain occasion Capt.
Murray was seated on u rough plat
form. or machan, about ten feet from
the ground, by the side OF a swamp.
the machan itself being well under
cover, but looking out on 10 moonlit
glade some 10 yards long, while at tbs
end OF the glade and on ali sides was
dense bush. A pigmy hippo was heard
approaching the edge OF the glade,
where II stayed without making a
sound, but all the time well under
cover. for. perhaps, about Ave minutes.
when a faint snort aud the sound OF
movement indicated It's sudden depar-
ture.
Taking into consideration its bulky
shape. and the very dense bush
through which II has to pass, the pig.
my hippopotamus is wonderfully ghost.
Ike and quiet IN its movements. unless
disturbed. It's presence being only de-
tacted by the faintest rustic. These
notes give us a much better and more
authentic idea OF the animal than we
ever had previously Il remains to
ascertain whether the pigmy hippo
potamus is confined to the West Coast.
or whether like most great game ami
mails, II extends right across the equa.
torIal belt
r. LYDEKKER.