THE JACKAL. 



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A Dingo which was kept for some years at the Zoological Gardens was accustomed to 

 sit on its tail and bay the moon after the manner of dogs, making night hideous with its 

 mournful monotone. Moreover, its voice was not silenced by the general light of day, 

 but rose continually in dolesome ululation, as if in perpetual lament for its captive lot. 



In its native land it is a very crafty animal, rivalling the cunning fox in its ready wit 

 when it feels itself endangered, and oftentimes outwitting even the intellectual power of 

 its human foes. A litter of Dingo cubs was once discovered in a rocky crevice near the 

 Yas Plains, but as the mother was not with them the discoverer marked the locality, 

 intending to return in a short time and to destroy the whole family at one fell swoop. 

 After leaving the spot for such a length of time as he judged sufficient for the return of 

 the mother, he came back to the den, and to his great disconfiture found it to be deserted. 

 The maternal Dingo had probably seen the intruder, and had carried off her young family 

 into a place of safety as soon as she found the coast clear. It is possible that she might 

 not actually have witnessed the hasty visit which the unwelcome guest had paid to her 

 family mansion, but on her return to her little ones had perceived by her sense of smell 

 th* late advent of a strange footstep. 



JACKAL. Caais aureus. 



IT is generally found that any large group of animals in one country will be represented 

 in another land by creatures of similar character, and not very dissimilar form. In 

 accordance with this general rule, we find that the part which the dingo plays in Australia 

 is taken up in Asia and Africa by several animals belonging to the same race, of which 

 the most remarkable are the Jackals and certain wolves. From the former animals the 

 continent of Europe is free ; and in these comparatively civilized times the wolves which 

 still haunt several portions of Europe are simply looked upon as pests of which the country 

 ought to be rid, and not as holding undisputed possession of the territory, and scouring 

 at will over the land in nightly search after prey. 



There are several species of the Jackal, fwo of which will be noticed and figured in 

 this work. 



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