BLACK-BACKED JACKAL.—Canis mesémelas. 
wounded animal could be discovered. Two days afterwards it was found, with a hind- 
leg broken, in a bundle of Tambookie grass, in the very middle of the village, and close to 
a butcher’s shambles. The cunning animal evidently knew that if it went to the plains 
it must die of starvation, and might, moreover, be easily overtaken by its pursuers, so it 
concealed itself in the very spot where they would least think of looking for it, and 
where it was within easy reach of food. 
The nightly shrieks with which the Black-backed Jackal fills the air are loud and 
piercing ; but when heard at a distance are thought by some sportsmen to possess a 
certain melody to initiated ears. 
The peculiar dark mottlings of the back form a band that extends from its neck and 
shoulders to the tail, is very broad in front, passing over the withers as far as the shoulders, 
and narrowing gradually towards the tail, where it becomes only two inches wide. The 
tail is of a fawn colour, and does not partake of this variable colouring, with the exception 
of the tip, which is black. 
Lieutenant Burton remarks, that among the Somali the morning ery of the Jackal is used 
as an omen of good or evil, according to its direction and its tone. He also mentions that 
it is in the habit of attacking the peculiar fat-tailed sheep which inhabit that country, 
and carrying off their lambs. The fat-burdened tail forms an article of diet which seems 
to be greatly to the Jackal’s taste, and which he procures by leaping suddenly upon the 
poor sheep, and then making a fierce bite at its tail. The terrified sheep starts off at 
best speed, and leaves a large mouthful of its tail between the Jackal’s teeth. Kids and 
other small animals fall victims to this insatiate devourer. 
In that country the Jackal, called by the natives “ Duwas,” dances nightly attendance 
upon the spotted hyzena. 
