10 CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



part of every day was spent in howling, and that so loudly as to be heard at the distance of nearly 

 half a mile. When the moon rose brightly, it would sit for hours and utter its wild iMiaatationa, not 

 a little to the annoyance of the neighbourhood. With all its shyness it was, at the same time, savage 

 and cunning; it would never make an open attack, but several times snapped at persons when their 

 back was turned, and immediately retreated to its kennel. So great was its strength, that, having 

 one day got loose, though encumbered with a heavy chain, it leaped a wall of considerable height, 

 and was not secured without difficulty. 



THE WILD DOG OF DECCAN. 



THE head of this animal is compressed and elongated its nose not very sharp. The eyes are oblique ; 

 the pupils round, the irides light brown. The expression of the countenance is that of a coarse, ill- 

 natured Persian greyhound. The ears are long, erect, and somewhat rounded at the top. The limits 

 are remarkably large and strong, in relation to the bulk of the animal its size being intermediate 

 between the wolf and the jackal. 



Colonel Barber found these dogs to be numerous on the Western Coast, and in the Balaghat 

 district. " As often," he adds, " as I have met with them, they have been invariably in packs of from 

 thirty to, perhaps, sixty. They must be very formidable, as all animals are afraid of them. Frequently 

 the remains of hogs and deer were brought to me which had been taken over-night by these wild dogs. 

 The natives assert that they kill tigers and chetahs ; and there is no doubt of the fact. It is quite 

 correct that they are found in the Nelageris, though only on the western parts. I myself was followed, 

 when travelling between the Paitera River and Naddebaflf a distance of eight or nine miles by a 

 pack of them ; and, had I not repeatedly fired off my pistols, they would certainly have carried away 

 three or four terriers and Spanish dogs that were following me at the time. Two or three times I 

 succeeded in getting young ones ; but I did not keep them longer than three or four weeks they 

 were so very wild as well as shy. It was only at night they would eat, and then most voraciously." 



^ ESQUIMAUX DOG. 



THIS animal is spread throughout the whole boreal regions of America, from Behring's Straits to the 

 Eastern Coast of Greenland. These dogs are devoted servants and companions, to whom their 

 masters look for assistance in the chase of the seal, the bear, and the reindeer. They cany burdens 

 for them while pursuing game in the summer, and draw sledges over the trackless snows in winter. 

 They lead a fatiguing life, and during winter are often nearly starved for want of provisions. Hence, 

 when in harness, they rush out of the road, either to give chase to any animal descried, or to pick up 

 what seems likely to afford a meal. 



There was an Esquimaux dog, some years ago, in the Princes Street Gardens, in Edinburgh. It 

 had more the character of a wolf than of a dog, but displayed very great sagacity. On going along a 

 country road a hare started, and, in place of running after the hare in the usual way, the dog pushed 

 himself through the hedge, crossed the field, and, when past the hare, went through the hedge again, 

 as if to meet her direct. The hare doubled through the hedge ; but, had it been in an open country, 

 there would have been a noble chase. 



One peculiarity of this dog was, its forming a special attachment to its master, so that, 

 however kind others might be, they never gained its affection even when coaxing it with food ; 

 and, whenever set at liberty, it rushed to the spot where its master was. One morning, when let 

 loose by some of the men on the ground, it instantly bounded from them to the house, and, the kitelieu- 

 door being open, it found its way through it ; when, to the great amazement of all, it leaped into the 

 bed where its master was sleeping, and fawned on him in the most affectionate manner. At another 

 time, when the dog was with him, going up the steep bank of the Princes Street Gardens, its master 

 slipped his foot, and came down, when the dog immediately seized him by the coat, as if to render 

 assistance in raising him. 



