252 THE CARACAL. 



trust towards their keepers, which ie never 

 overcome. The Caracal feeds on small animals and 

 birds ; the latter it pursues with great activity upon 

 the trees. M. Temminck says, that they hunt in 

 packs like the wild dogs, and thus run down their 

 prey. If this is the case, they frill most probahly 

 use their nose, and will present a very interesting 

 deviation from the typical species. It is also said 

 to eat the leavings of the larger animals ofpreyia^so 

 a more dog-like habit), and has, like the jackall, re- 

 ceived the name of the lion's provider, by being often 

 found in the rear of its monarch, and feeding on the 

 food which has been provided and left by him. 



The total length of the Caracal, according to Tem- 

 minck, is 2 feet 10 inches, of which the tail measures 

 about 1 0; the average height is about 14 inches. The 

 prevailing colour of the fur is a pale reddish- brown, 

 tinged with a vinous shade ; the reddish colour becomes 

 paler as it reaches the lower parts. Above the eyes 

 there are two spots of pure white, the uppermost on 

 the inner side, the lower at its outer angle. The end 

 and edges of the upper lip, the chin, breast, belly, 

 and insides of the legs, are also pure white. The 

 parts where the whiskers spring are black ; the base 

 of the back of the ears is of a deep shade of the 

 same colour, assuming a greyer tint towards the 

 tips, which are furnished with tufts of long black 

 hair. The Turkish and Persian names both signify 

 " black ear," and have evidently been taken from 

 these markings. 



