210 THE JACKALS. 



Upon grapes. They congregate in great numbers, 

 sometimes as many as 200 being found together ; 

 and they howl so incessantly, that the annoyance 

 of their voices is the theme of numerous apologues 

 and tales in the literature of Asia. Their cry is a 

 melancholy sound, beginning the instant the sun 

 sets, and never ceasing till after it has risen. The 

 voice is uttered and responded to, by all within 

 hearing, in a concert of every possible tone, from a 

 short hungry yelp to a prolonged crescendo cry, 

 rising octave above octave in the shrillness, and 

 mingled with dismal whinings as of a human being 

 in distress.* Jackals retire to woody jungles and 

 rocky situations, or skulk about solitary gardens, 

 hide themselves in ruins, or burrow in large com- 

 munities. If by chance one of the troop be 

 attacked, all are on the watch, and, if practicable 

 with self-preservation, issue forth to the rescue. 

 The Indian wolf and hyaena occasionally avail 

 themselves of their burrows; but while they occupy 

 these retreats they abstain from hostility with their 

 neighbours.t We have already stated in what 

 manner they attend upon the forays of the tiger, 

 and the different warning cry then uttered by one 

 only, without the response of others. J In the 



* MS. Notes of Frederic Bennet, Esq. 



+ Dr. Daniel Johnson, 



X A relative mentions, that while he resided at Cawnpore, 

 his watchmen were attracted by the peculiar voice, and, crouch- 

 ing, crept along under the walls bounding his compound, till 

 ihey reached the spot whence it issued ; looking over with 



