142 CENTRAL AFRICAN GAME AND ITS SPOOR. 



CIVET CAT (Viverra civetta). 



Native Names. 



Chinyanja Fungo. Zulu (Ngoni) . . Sindawajosi. 



Chiyao Ungo. Swahili Ngavva, Fungo. 



Chikunda Chombwe. Chichewa .... Fungwe. 



Food. 



Chiefly berries and fruits, such as those of the Mpimpia (or Mpindimbi), Maola (or 



Mpembo), Masuku, and Msoro ; also catches mice, but does not eat meat as does 



the jackal. 



Spoor. 



Almost exactly like spoor of a village dog. 



Returns to the same spot to deposit its droppings, which spot may be the middle 

 of an open plain. 



The berries are seen in its dung like that of jackal, but by the size of the pile it 

 may be recognised from the latter, also from the fact that it is almost entirely a 

 vegetable feeder, not eating offal as does the jackal. The fur of mice may also be 

 noticed among the berries. 



Habitat. 



Lies up in caves, in the bush, in thick grass, or a reed brake is a favourite 

 place. 



Habits. 



Nocturnal. Is not a gregarious animal. 



Notes. 



