Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-11-17


plants, about 400 yards of. ~. s.s
We now climbed an ant-hill ourselves and
inspected the elephants to see if among
them were any big-tusked bulls. There
were no bulls, however; the little herd con-
sisted of FIVE cows and four calves, which
were marching across patch OF burnt
ground ahead Of us, accompanied by about
so white COW herons.
We stood where we were until they had
passed we did not wish to get too close, lest
they might charge us and force us to shoot
in self-defense. They walked in unhurried
confidence, and yet were watchful, continu-
ally cooking their ears and raising and curl
ing their trunks.
One dropped behind and looked fixedly in
our direction, probably having heard us
talking; then with head aloft and tail stittly
erect it fastened after the others, presenting
an absurd likeness to a baboon. The tour
calves played friskily about, especially
very comical little pink fellow which accom-
panied the leading COW.
Meanwhile few Of the white herons rode
on their backs, but most of the flock stalked
sedately alongside through the burnt grass,
catching the grasshoppers which were dis
turbed by the great feet. When, however,
the herd reached the tall grass all the herons
flew up and perched on the backs and heads
of their friends; even the pink calf car
ried one.
A couple of hours later, as we followed an
elephant path, we came to where 1t was
crossed by the spoor Of two rhino Our
gun-bearers took up the trail, over the burnt
ground, while Kermit and l followed I'M
mediately behind them. The trail wound
about, and was not always easy to disentan-
gle, but after mile or two we saw the
beasts.
They were standing among bushes and
patches of rank, unburned grass; 1t was just
10 o'clock, and they were evidently prepar-
ing to lie down for the day. AS they stood
thew kept twitching their big ears; both
rtino and elephant are perpetually annoyed,
as are most game, by biting flies, large and
small We got up very close, Kermit with
his camera and with the heavy rifle.
Too little is known of these northern
square mouthed rhino for us to be sure that
they are not lingering slowly toward ex-
tincton and. lest this should be the case
we were not willing to kill any merely tor
trophies: while, on the other hand, we
deemed it really important to get good
groups for the National museum in. Wash
ineton and the American museum in New
York, and head for the National Collection
OF Heads and Horns, which was started by
Mr.. Hornaday. the director Of the Bronx
geological park. Moreover Kermit and
Lorng desired to get some photos OF the
animals while they were alive.
Things did not 60 we'll this time, however
The rhnos saw us before either Kermit OF
Loring could get good picture. AS they
wheeled fired hastily into the chest OF one
but not quite to the middle, and away they
dashed-for they do not seem as truculen
as the common rhino. We followed them
After an hour the trails separated; Cunning
hame went on one, but failed to overtakt
the animal, and we did not see him until WE
reached camp late that afternoon.
A Galloping Rhino.
Meanwhile Our own gun-bearers followed
the bloody spoor of the rhino had hit, ker
nit and l close behind, and Loring with us
The rhino had gone straight off at gallop
and the trail offered little difficulty, so WI
walked fast