102 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



possible to approach individuals unnoticed within a 

 distance which would be almost impossible were the Black- 

 Backed Jackal in question. Constitutionally it is rather 

 timid, and generally makes a poor fight against dogs. 

 When attacked by the latter it sometimes seeks to escape 

 by shamming dead. I remember that one animal, after 

 being worried by a dog, lay quite limp on the ground 

 for a few moments and then suddenly sprang up and 

 made off. Upon being again caught, it repeated the 

 trick ; but as soon as the dog dropped it, instead of 

 running away, it sprang at his throat. It received a 

 third shaking, and was again quiescent during the pro- 

 cess, but rushed a second time at the dog immediately 

 after release. I think the pluck of this animal was very 

 exceptional for one of its species. 



Side-Striped Jackals go to ground readily, in old ant- 

 bear or other large holes. 



They become quite tame if caught young, and even 

 full-grown animals, though inclined to show their teeth, 

 soon eat and drink regularly, and, after a time, resign 

 themselves to the new life. 



The call of the species is a single cry midway between 

 a howl and a bark. 



Other recognized species of African jackals are : 



The Egyptian Jackal, the largest of the group. 



The Morocco Jackal. 



The Variegated Jackal, from Abyssinia and Somali- 

 land. 



The Pigmy Jackal, from Somaliland. 



THE SILVER Fox. With this species we come to the 

 fennecs, or African foxes, which are of slighter build 

 than the jackals, and possess more sharply pointed 

 muzzles, and longer and more bushy tails. The general 

 colour of this fox is silvery grey, the underneath parts 



