Game Animals of India, etc. 



only creature capable of withstanding their attacks, 

 sometimes even transfixing its assailants with its sharp 

 and powerful, although short horns, which are admir- 

 ably adapted for stabbing. Possibly, too, the dense 

 and long coat of the serow may stand it in good stead 

 when repelling attacks of this nature. Instances are 

 on record where wild dogs have succeeded in pulling 

 down not only such large animals as the sambar, but 

 even domesticated Indian buffalo. Although freshly- 

 killed flesh is the general diet of these animals, it is 

 probable that, as in the case of most other Carnivora, a 

 meal of carrion forms an occasional variety. Since 

 they generally avoid the neighbourhood of human 

 habitations, the toll levied by wild dogs on domesti- 

 cated animals is less than in the case of many other 

 Carnivora ; but they at times kill sheep, goats, and 

 cattle, while, as already mentioned, they occasionally 

 venture to attack the buffalo. They display great 

 sagacity during the breeding-season by driving their 

 prey to the neighbourhood of their dwelling-places 

 before giving it the coup de grdce^ so that there should 

 be the least possible trouble in carrying the supply of 

 food to the spot where it is required. 



In some instances at least wild dogs breed in a kind 

 of warren, where several females associate together, one 

 such breeding-place having been discovered near Simla. 

 Winter is the breeding-season, the young being usually 

 produced in holes or clefts among rocks from January 

 to March. From two to four is the usual number 

 of cubs produced in a litter, although there may be as 

 many as half-a-dozen. 



Although wild dogs generally hunt in the daytime, 

 it is probable that sometimes at least they are on the 

 move during the night. It has been asserted that, 

 when in pursuit, they " give tongue," like hounds, 

 but this is denied by an observer who saw a pack 

 in full chase. Others state that these animals howl 

 at night. 



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