THE JACKAL 



507 



The jackal ranges from the southeastern countries of Europe to India and Cey- 

 lon; thence it extends throughout Assam to Northern Pegu and the neighborhood of 

 Mandalay, although it is much less common east of the Bay of Bengal than in India. 

 In Northern Africa it inhabits Egypt and Abyssinia, and the districts to the north 

 of the Sahara. In the Himalayas it ascends to from three to four thousand feet 

 above the sea level. Throughout India it may be found indifferently in hilly or 

 plain country, in forest or open districts, or in large cities. 



Although jackals are frequently in the habit of going singly or in pairs, they 

 often associate in packs, which may be of considerable size; these assemblages 



THE JACKAL. 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



being more frequent at night than during the daytime. In India the jackal is con- 

 sidered by Mr. Blanford to be a more decidedly nocturnal animal than the wolf, but 

 its wanderings are by no means confined to the night; and, during the winter, 

 jackals may be seen abroad at all hours of the day. In extremely hot weather they 

 appear to suffer much, and may be found either lying in the water, where they 

 spend most of the day, or sneaking away therefrom, instead of being, as usual, hid- 

 den away in their holes. Their food comprises not only carrion and the flesh of such 

 animals as they are able to kill, but also fruit, maize, and sugar cane. In the towns 



