THE SCAVENGER HYENA. 



177 



rock-cut tombs so common in these countries; but in India it is more com- 

 monly found in holes and caves in rocks. I have more than once turned one 

 out of a sugar-cane field when looking for jackals, and it very commonly 

 lurks among ruins; but in general its den is in a hole dug by itself on the 

 side of a hill or ravine, or a cave in a rock. The call of the hyena is a very 

 disagreeable, unearthly cry, and dogs are often tempted out by it when near, 

 and fall a victim to the stealthy marauder. On one occasion a small dog be- 

 longing to an officer was taken off by a hyena very early in the morning. 



SPOTTED HYENA. 



The den of this beast was known to be not far ofT in some sandstone cliffs, 

 and some sepoys of the detachment went after it, entered the cave, killed the 

 hyena, and recovered the dog alive, w^ith but little damage done to it. A hyena, 

 though it does not appear to move very fast, gets over rough ground in a 

 wonderful manner, and it takes a good long run to overtake it on horseback, 

 unless in most favorable ground. A stray hyena is now and then met with by 

 a party of sportsmen, followed and speared; but sometimes not till after a run 



