140 CANID^E. 



were collected by Colonel Sleeman, and several are recorded by 

 Sir B. Hurchison (A. M. N. H. 2, viii, p. 153) and Mr. Ball 

 (P. A. S. B. 1873, p. 128, and ' Jungle Life,' pp. 455-466). It is 

 doubtful how far any are authentic. All the children were boys, 

 and all appear to have been idiots. 



69. Canis aureus. The Jackal. 



Canis aureus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 59 (1766) ; Elliot, Madr. Jouni. 



L. 8. x, p. 101 ; Sli/th, Cat. p. 40 ; Jerdon, Mam. p. 142. 

 Canis aureus indicus, Hodgson, As. Res. xviii, p. 237. 

 Sacalius iudicus and Oxygoiis indicus, Hodgs. J. A. S. B. x, p. 908. 



Giddr, Siydl, or Shidl, Phial, H. ; Laraiya, Bandelkand ; Shigal, Pers. ; 

 Sriyala, Sansc. ; Shdl J , Shdaj $ , Kashmiri ; Toldgh, Baluchi ; Kola, 

 Mahr. and Dakh. ; Karincha, Ho Kol ; Kolial, Nerka, Gond. ; Nan, Can.; 

 Kalla-Nari, Tain. ; Nakka, Tel. ; Karakcn, Nari, Mai. ; Naria, Cing.; 

 Amu, Bhot. ; Hiydl, Assamese ; Meshrong, Kachari ; Hijai, Joksat, Mikir ; 

 Hian, Naga ; Mye-khive, Burm. 



Tail with the hair at the end about one third the length of the 

 head and body. As a rule, the upper sectorial is much shorter 

 than the two true upper molars taken together ; but in two out of 

 twelve measurements given by Huxley the length is the same. 

 Mammae 10. 



Colour. Pale isabelline to pale rufous, more or less mixed with 

 black on the upper parts ; muzzle, ears, and outside of limbs more 

 rufous ; lower parts paler, sometimes nearly white ; hair of the 

 fore neck with dusky tips. The underfur on the back is brown, 

 paler at the base, the longer hairs on the back beyond the under- 

 fur grey with black tips. The tail-hairs are reddish brown, with 

 long black terminations, making a black tail-tip. Bright rufous, 

 coal-black, and pure white albino individuals have also been re- 

 corded (Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxvii, p. 275). 



Dimensions. Variable, some animals being much larger than 

 others. The head and body certainly vary from 2 feet to 2 feet 

 6 inches in length, and I have seen measurements given of 2 feet 

 8 inches, though these must, I think, have been taken on skins. 

 A large male from the Nipalese Terai measured : head and body 

 30 inches, tail without hair at the end 9, with hair 11, ear 3*2 ; 

 weight 20 Ibs. A small female from Eajputana measured : head 

 and body 24-6, tail without hair 9, with hair 12-1, ear 3'2, hind 

 foot from heel 5-5. Skulls are also very variable (see Huxley, 

 P. Z. S. 1880, p. 277); a large one measures 5-8 inches in basal 

 length and 3*5 in zygomatic breadth, an adult female 4*95 by 2 - 9. 



Distribution. The jackal is found throughout the whole of India 

 and Ceylon, on hills and plains, in forest and open country, and 

 even in populous cities. It ascends the Himalayas to an elevation 

 of 3000 or 4000 feet, and is occasionally found higher, especially 

 around hill-stations, whilst it is common on the Nilgiris in 

 Southern India. It is more rare east of the Bay of Bengal, but is 



