336 Practical Game Preserving. 



the immense extent of the animal kingdom is so exceptional 

 as to warrant more attention being given to it. The lighter 

 shades of colour of the fur occupy the shoulders and back, 

 while the inner and under surfaces are nearly black. The 

 markings upon the head are also peculiar. The forehead 

 appears white ; on each side of the face is a band of black 

 about half way between the eyes and the nose ; this, 

 gradually spreading out, passes back to the ear, upon each 

 side of which it extends about an inch and then dies away 

 behind it rather sharply ; below this band the hair is again 

 white, except the surface beneath the chin, which is black. 

 It will thus be seen that the colour of the hair round the 

 head is in alternate bands of black and white. The separate 

 hairs of the upper part of the body are marked with three 

 shades of colour, and, as in the fitch, are a yellowish white 

 at the bottom, black to brown in the middle, and a kind 

 of tawny ashy grey at the outer extremities. The mouth 

 is a marvel of strength, and besides being furnished with 

 long and sharp teeth, the jaws are so formed that, once 

 closed, they are held locked together, and retain their hold 

 without the necessity of effort. The animal is thus able 

 to inflict a wound of considerable size, and the act of 

 resistance, such as a dog trying to release itself, renders 

 the bite far worse. The legs are exceedingly muscular and 

 short, while the feet are furnished with long and powerfully 

 formed claws, one on each of the five toes which both fore 

 and hind feet possess. These claws are, therefore, admirably 

 suited either for burrowing or searching in the ground for 

 such roots as the brock considers to its taste. 

 The daytime is spent in sleeping, and, moreover, in the 



