THE HY.^iNA DOG 95 



is not always the case, as erroneously stated in 

 natural history books. Mr. F. V. Kirby records an 

 example with a buff-tipped brush, which he shot in 

 Central Africa. 



Strangely differentiated from all the rest of the 

 canine tribe by its brilliant coloration, the hunting- 

 dog superficially resembles the spotted hyaena of the 

 same localities; hence it was originally classed as a 

 hysena by the older naturalists, while some (like 

 Griffith in 1827) called it the "hysena-dog." It is 

 difficult to explain the bizarre marbling of the fur, 

 though perhaps its patchwork coat renders the animal 

 less conspicuous when hunting by moonlight than a 

 uniformly-coloured livery would do. The white- 

 tipped tail probably acts as a semaphore, which by 

 its continual wagging keeps the pack together, so 

 that all may benefit by the varied talents of its com- 

 ponent members. At least it is recorded that when 

 game is discovered the pack run mute with sterns 

 down; no need for wireless telegraphy with the 

 prospect of a meal ahead ! Whether the ochreous 

 hue renders inconspicuous those individuals which 

 possess it is not ascertained; but it should be remem- 

 bered in this connection that the reddish bush-doofs 

 of the Malay thickets are said to be difficult to 

 disting-uish in the twilight. 



The extraordinary appearance of the Cape dog 

 rendered it a fair puzzle to the early naturalists. 

 The chaus of Pliny " effigie lupi, pardorum maculis " 



