CHAPTER X. Notes on the Black or Prehensile-Lipped Rhinoceros

NOTES ON THE BLACK OR PREHENSILE-LIPPED RHINOCEROS

Character of the black rhinoceros--Its practical extermination in South Africa at a very trifling cost to human life--No case known to author of a Boer hunter having been killed by a black rhinoceros--Accidents to English hunters--Harris's opinion of and experiences with the black rhinoceros--Seemingly unnecessary slaughter of these animals--Large numbers shot by Oswell and Vardon--Divergence of opinion concerning disposition of the two so-called different species of black rhinoceroses--Experiences of Gordon Cumming, Andersson, and Baldwin with these animals--Victims of the ferocity of the black rhinoceros extraordinarily few in South Africa--The author's experiences with these animals--Sudden rise in the value of short rhinoceros horns--Its fatal effect--Dull sight of the black rhinoceros--Keen scent--Inquisitiveness--Blind rush of the black rhinoceros when wounded--An advancing rhinoceros shot in the head--Author chased by black rhinoceroses when on horseback--Curious experience near Thamma-Setjie--Black rhinoceroses charging through caravans--Coming to camp fires at night--Author's doubts as to the extreme ferocity of black rhinoceroses in general--Testimony of experienced hunters as to the character of the black rhinoceros in the countries north of the Zambesi--Captain Stigand severely injured by one of these animals--Experiences of Mr. Vaughan Kirby--Extraordinary number of black rhinoceroses in East Africa--Experiences of A. H. Neumann and F. J. Jackson with these animals--Views of Sir James Hayes-Sadler--Great numbers of rhinoceroses lately shot in East Africa without loss of life to hunters--Superiority of modern weapons--President Roosevelt's letter--Mr. Fleischmann's remarkable account of a combat between a rhinoceros and a crocodile--Possible explanation of seeming helplessness of the rhinoceros Pages 178-204