HABITS OF THE WILD DOG. 199 



quarry to bay, they all surround him, and he is inr. mediately 

 dragged to the ground, and in a few minutes torn to pieces and 

 consumed. They are of a bold and daring disposition, and do 

 not entertain much fear o.f man, evincing less concern on his 

 approach than any other carnivorous animal with which I am 

 acquainted. On disturbing a pack, they trot leisurely along 

 before the intruder, repeatedly halting and looking back at him. 

 The females bring forth their young in large holes, in desolate 

 open plains. These burrows are connected with one another 

 under ground. When a troop of wild dogs frequenting these 

 holes observe a man approaching, they do not, as might be sup- 

 posed, take shelter in the holes, but, rather trusting to their speed, 

 they rush forth, even though the intruder should be close upon 

 them, and retreat across the plain ; the young ones, unless very 

 weak, accompany them. The devastation occasioned by them 

 among the flocks of the pastoral Dutch Boers is inconceivable. 

 It constantly happens, that when the careless shepherds leave 

 their charge in quest of honey or other amusement, a pack of 

 these marauders comes across the defenceless flock. A. sangui- 

 nary massacre in such cases invariably ensues, and incredible 

 numbers of sheep are killed and wounded. The voracious pack, 

 not content with killing as many as they can eat, follow resolutely 

 on, tearing and mangling all that come within their reach. Their 

 voice consists of three different kinds of cry, each being used on 

 special occasions. One of these cries is a sharp, angry bark, 

 usually uttered when they suddenly behold an object which they 

 cannot make out. Another resembles a number of monkeys chat- 

 tering together, or men conversing while their teeth are chattering 

 violently from cold. This cry is emitted at night when large 

 numbers of them are together, and they are excited by any parti 

 cular occurrence, such as being barked at by domestic dogs 

 The third cry, and the one most commonly uttered by them, is 

 a sort of rallying note to bring the various members of the pack 

 together when they have been scattered in following several 

 individuals of a troop of antelopes. It is a peculiarly soft, melodi- 

 ous cry, yet, nevertheless, it may be distinguished at a great 



