THE JACKAL. 



155 



COYOTE, OR PRAIRIE WOLF. 



Wolf. The ears are short, erect, and roundish, white anteriorly and brown behind. The tail is bushy, 

 and is clothed, like the body, with wool and long hair. Some specimens want the brown tints, and 

 have most of the grey colour."* The length of body and head together amounts to about three feet; 

 that of the tail about fourteen or fifteen inches. 



The Red Wolf (Canis jubatus) of Brazil shows considerable resemblance both to the Jackals and 

 to the Foxes. It has long, slender legs, a slender snout, long ears, and stiff, shaggy, reddish hair, 

 raised into a mane along the neck. 



THE JACKAL.f 



Next to the Wolf, the Jackal is the most important wild member of the Dog tribe. It is a much 

 smaller animal than the Wolf, not exceeding thirty inches in length, and seventeen in height at the 

 shoulder. It is also distinguished from Wolves and true Dogs by its curious, long pointed muzzle. Its 

 fur is of a dusky -yellowish colour whence its name of " Loup doreV' or gilded Wolf, and its specific 

 appellation aureus " the hairs being mottled black, grey, and brown, with the under fur brownish- 

 yellow, the lower parts yellowish-grey, tail reddish-brown, ending in a darkish tuft." There is a good 

 deal of variation from this colour, depending partly on the time of year, partly on the locality. 



The Jackal is a cowardly animal, blessed with a most evil smell and with a voracious 

 appetite. It lives largely upon carrion, a good deal of which it gets as a sort of " perquisite " from 

 the remains of the Lion's feast. It is sometimes called " the Lion's provider," a name which " may 

 have arisen from the notion that the yell of the pack gives notice to the Lion that prey is on foot, or 

 from the Jackals being seen to feed on the remnants of the Lion's quarry." Dr. Jerdon says, " it is a 

 very useful scavenger, clearing away all garbage and carrion from the neighbourhood of Cape Town 5 

 but occasionally committing depredations among poultry and other domestic animals. Sickly 

 Sheep and Goats usually fall a prey to him ; and a wounded Antelope is pretty certain to be tracked 

 and hunted to death by Jackals. They will, however, partake freely of vegetable food." 



* Richardson. t Canis aureus. 



