46 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



in the Nieuweveld Mountains. The cub was 

 woollier than its senior, which it otherwise much 

 resembled. Specimens were received at the London 

 Zoological Gardens about 1832, a fine pair having 

 been presented by Mr. Hanmer Warrington ; these 

 were probably quite young animals, since they were 

 described as being smaller and lighter than the 

 striped hyaenas in the menagerie, and of a playful 

 disposition. 



At present a fine pair is living in the London 

 collection, obtained from Carl Hagenbeck on 

 November I2th, 1900; they have thus been over 

 six years in England. When inspected by the 

 writer on May nth, 1906, these two individuals 

 were in splendid condition, as the rich gloss on their 

 coats testified. At about half-past twelve (noon) the 

 female was lying down ; the male, standing by, lazily 

 caressed her, nonchalantly biting his consort and 

 grasping the loose skin in his teeth to draw it out in 

 elastic folds that reminded one of the "india-rubber 



man " at Barnum's. The shambling appearance of the 

 brown hyaena is much increased by its knock-kneed 



appearance viewed from the front. The specimen 

 kept by Sir Andrew Smith had the curious habit of 

 regurgitating its food like a cow, to chew again. 1 



1. It may here be mentioned that the allied striped hyaena is very 

 quarrelsome in captivity and liable to mutilate animals in adjoining 

 cages if it gets the chance. If several striped hyaenas are kept together 

 they will begin to try and burrow holes in the floor. A specimen sent by 

 rail to Calcutta from West Bengal bit through the wooden battens of its 

 cage, and was found, on arrival at the terminus, comfortably seated 

 behind some bales of goods ! 



