THE JACKAL. 321 
A Dingo which was kept for some years at the Zoological Gardens was accustomed to 
sit on its tail and bay the moon after the manner of dogs, making night hideous with its 
mournful monotone. Moreover, its voice was not silenced by the genial light of day, but 
rose continually in dolesome ululation, as if in perpetual lament for its captive lot. 
Tn its native land it is a very crafty animal, rivalling the cunning fox in its ready wit 
when it feels itself endangered, and oftentimes outw itting even the intellectual power of 
its human foes. A litter of Dingo cubs was once discov ‘ered in a rocky crevice near the 
Yas Plains, but as the mother was not with them the discoverer marked the locality, 
intending to return in a short time and to destroy the whole family at one fell swoop. 
After leaving the spot for such a length of time as he judged sufficient for the return of 
the mother, ec came back to the den, and to his great discomfiture found it to be deserted. 
The maternal Dingo had probably seen the intruder, and had carried off her young family 
into a place of safety as soon as she found the coast clear, It is possible that she might 
not actually have witnessed the hasty visit which this unwelcome guest had paid to her 
family mansion, but on her return to her little ones had perceived by her sense of smell 
the late advent of a strange footstep. 
JACKAL,—Canis aureus. 
Ir ts generally found that any large group of animals in one country will be represented 
in another land by creatures of similar character, and not very dissimilar form. In 
accordance with this general rule, we find that the part which the dingo plays in Australia 
is taken up in Asia and Africa by several animals belonging to the canine race, of which 
the most remarkable are the Jackals and certain wolves. From the former animals the 
continent of Europe is free ; and in these comparatively civilized times the wolves which 
still haunt several portions of Europe are simply looked upon as pests of which the country 
ought to be rid, and not as holding undisputed possession of the territory, and scouring at 
will over the land i in nightly search after prey. 
There are several species of the Jackal, two of which will be noticed and figured in 
this work. 
115 Y 
