128 THE INDIAN FOX. 



its cry may be heard almost nightly in the cold season. Its cry is a 

 sharp yelp, quickly repeated three or four times, and constituting a sort 

 of little chattering bark. 



These animals pair from November to January, according to the 

 climate, which is, of course, different in different parts of the vast region 

 over which the species ranges. 



It breeds in burrows, when the young, of which there are almost 

 always four in a litter, make their appearance at some time during 

 February, March, or April. 



Mr. Jerdon describes the burrow as always having several branches, 

 which radiate from a centre and open separately. With these are 

 other burrows, which end blindly, not opening into the central chamber 

 wherein the animal breeds. The burrow is generally made in a quite 

 open plain, but now and then in some thorny scrub. Advantage is 

 taken of any small rise in the ground to protect the nest from floods, 

 and on this account burrows are often made in artificial mounds. 

 Sometimes, however, it will live for a long time in cavities of old 

 trees. 



It is said to feed by preference on lizards, rats, crabs, white-ants, and 

 various other insects, and Blanford cites an instance of its having been 

 watched in the Deccan springing up out of the grass again and again 

 to catch the moths which passed just before dusk. Nevertheless 

 Jerdon saw it hunting quails, and there can be no doubt but that it 

 eats young birds and eggs. But it also habitually takes vegetable 

 food, such as melons, ber fruit (Zizyphus), and pods and shoots of 

 Cicer arielinum. Thus altogether it is a much less carnivorous animal 

 than is C. leucopus. 



It is much coursed in India, and Jerdon tells us that with Arab or 

 country dogs, or half-bred English dogs, it gives a most excellent 

 course. When hunted, it very soon begins to double in a most dex- 

 terous manner, and then racing the dogs if it is within a short distance 

 of its earth. It has been known to escape by running in amidst a herd 

 of cattle. If well-bred English dogs are used, the animal has but a 

 poor chance, not being so fleet as the kind last described (C. leucopus). 



On account of its not having a strong odour, and because of its 



