THE SPOTTED HY^NA 



are identical, except that those of prehistoric 

 times were larger and more powerful. Great 

 quantities of the bones of the Cave Hyaena have 

 been found in caverns in various parts of Europe 

 and England, indicating that in ancient times the 

 distribution of this large hyaena v^as far greater 

 than at the present day. In a cave at Madras in 

 India the tooth of a Cave Hyaena has been found, 

 and the inference is that the southern parts of 

 Asia were also inhabited by this species of animal. 



The Spotted Hyaena is nocturnal, lying concealed 

 by day in caverns, recesses under boulders, in the 

 midst of thorny scrub and matted undergrowth, 

 and down the holes of Aard Varks or ant-eaters, 

 the rightful owners having been driven off or de- 

 voured. From these lairs beaten paths run in all 

 directions, made by the nightly excursions of the 

 animal. These hyaenas may be met with in small 

 troops consisting probably of parents and their 

 grown-up puppies. At other times they hunt for 

 food in pairs or singly. 



The traveller is soon made aware of the presence 

 of Spotted Hyaenas, for the stillness of the night is 

 rudely disturbed by the deep and powerful cry of 

 these animals, which starts with a prolonged mourn- 

 ful note, beginning low and gradually rising to a 

 high pitch. This is the cry of the animals when 

 they desire to make their whereabouts known to 

 each other. 



The second cry is altogether different, and is 



83 



