GIRAFFES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—In your issue of September 4th, Mr. H. A. Bryden states that these fantastic and beautiful animals can run on occasion "at a very high speed—some thirty miles an hour." I felt a little sceptical of this, and I found my scepticism was shared by others whom I heard discuss the article. But last mail I hada letter from my friend Mr. Edwin Edwards, from Bukoba, Tanganyika Territory. Mr. Edwards is a mining engineer,- and after describing the wealth of game in his district and the danger of his calling owing to lions and rhino, he says :
" But there are compensations. Nature is not all fierce out here and one has interesting as well as exciting experiences. Last week I had a most exhilarating race with a troop of about fifty Giraffes in the Mazai Country. I was in my Ford car and they tried to cross in front of it. My speedometer registered 25 m.p.h.—open bush country. For about a mile they kept pace with me—then shot ahead easily twenty yards, and crossed in front of my car, dispersing among the scattered trees."
I apologize, Mr. Bryden, for my unworthy doubt.—I am, Sir, &c.,
FRANK COLLIL.,/
8 Inverness Mansions, Moscow Road, W.2.
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