THE MUNGOOSES 



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known of its breeding habits. It is often seen in pairs. The young are three or 

 four in number, and are produced in the spring. The food of this animal is varied. 

 It lives principally upon rats and mice, snakes and lizards, such birds as it can cap- 

 ture, eggs and insects ; but it eats fruit at times. The stomach of one killed near 

 Secunderabad contained, according to M' Master, a quail, a small wasp's nest, a 

 lizard, a number of insects, and part of a custard apple." In disposition this 

 animal, for its size, is decidedly fierce and bloodthirsty. Jerdon says that "not un- 

 frequently it gets access to tame pigeons, rabbits, or poultry, and commits great 

 havoc, sucking the blood only of several. I have often seen it," he adds, 

 "make a dash into a veranda where some cages of mynas, parrakeets, etc., were 

 daily placed, and endeavor to tear the birds from their cages." 



In spite of its natural fierceness, the mungoose is easily tamed, and forms a 

 gentle and affectionate pet. Tamed mungooses are largely carried about in India 

 by snake charmers and other wandering showmen. The following excellent ac- 

 count of a tame mungoose of this species (which ultimately died from grief at the 

 absence of its master) is given by Mr. R. A. Sterndale: "I got it," writes the nar- 

 rator, "while on active service during the Indian Mutiny, when it was a wee thing, 

 smaller than a rat. It traveled with me on horseback in an empty holster, or in a 

 pocket, or up my sleeve ; and afterward, when my duties took me out into camp, 

 4 Pips' was my constant companion. He knew perfectly well when I was going to 

 shoot a bird for him. He would stand up on his hind-legs when he saw me present 

 the gun, and run for the bird when it fell. He had, however, no notion of retriev- 

 ing, but would scamper off with his prey to devour it at leisure. He was a most 

 fearless little fellow, and once attacked a big greyhound, who beat a retreat. In a 

 rage his body would swell to nearly twice its size, from .the erection of the hair ; 

 yet I had him under such perfect subjection that I had only to hold up my finger 

 to him when he was about to attack anything, and he would desist. I heard a 

 great noise one day outside my room, and found ' Pips ' attacking a fine male speci- 

 men I had of the great bustard (Eupodotis edwardsi) , which he had just seized by the 

 throat. I rescued the bird, but it died of its injuries. Through the carelessness of 

 my servants, he was lost one day in a heavy brushwood jungle some miles from my 

 camp, and I quite gave up all hope of recovering my pet. Next day, however, in 

 tracking some antelope, we happened to cross the route taken by my servants, 

 when we heard a familiar little yelp, and down from a tree we were under rushed 

 4 Pips.' He went to England with me after that, and was the delight of all the 

 sailors on board ship, for his accomplishments were varied. . . . From watch- 

 ing him, I observed many little habits belonging to these animals. He was exces- 

 sively clean, and, after eating, would pick his teeth with his claws in a most absurd 

 manner. I do not know whether a mungoose in a wild state will eat carrion, but 

 he would not touch anything tainted, and, though very fond of freshly-cooked 

 game, would turn up his nose at ' high ' partridge or grouse. He was very fond of 

 eggs, and, holding them in his fore-paws, would crack a little hole at the small end, 

 through which he would suck the contents. He was a very good ratter, and also 

 killed many snakes against which I pitted him. His way seemed to tease the 

 snake into darting at him, when, with inconceivable rapidity, he would pounce on 



