THE JACKAL, 7t> 



Mode of hunting Rapacity Hideous cry. 



greedily from the hand; and drink by lapping. 

 They are also fond of playing with -dogs; unlike 

 most others of this genus, which run away from 

 them. 



In their native forests they associate in packs 

 of from fifty to two hundred ; where they hunt 

 during the night,, like hounds, in full cry. They 

 devour lambs and poultry, ravage the streets of 

 villages, and gardens near towns, and sometimes 

 destroy children which arc left unprotected. 

 They are bold and audacious ; sometimes enter- 

 ing the tent of a traveller while he is asleep, and 

 stealing away any thing that is eatable. They 

 are by no means choice in their food, but gree- 

 dily disinter the dead, and devour the bodies 

 when completely putrescent ; on which account 

 the graves are in many countries made of great 

 depth. When animal prey is not to be met 

 with, they feed on roots, fruits, &c. and in a state 

 of domestication they seem particularly fond of 

 bread. 



In the day time they are silent, but their noc- 

 turnal bowlings are dreadful; and when they are 

 near, these are so horribly Joud, that persons can 

 with difficulty hear each other speak. Dillon 

 sa^s, their voice is like the cries of many children 

 of different ages mixed together: when one com- 

 mences, the whole pack immediately afterward 

 join in the howl. In the day-time they are 

 silent. All the beasts of the forest are roused by 

 the cries of the jackal ; and the lion and other; 



