HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



301 



THE SPOTTED HYENA. 



Is called, at the Cape of Good Hope, the Tiger- 

 Wolf , and is very common in that part of the world. 

 Sparrman describes it as a cruel, mischievous, and 

 formidable animal. Its horrid yells are to be heard 

 every night, whilst it prowls about for its prey, and 

 lurks near farm yards, where cattle are kept. 

 These are well defended by Dogs, of which the 

 Hyena, though larger and stronger, is much afraid ; 

 and will not venture an attack, unless pressed by 

 the most urgent necessity: neither will it dare to 

 seize upon any of the larger animals, such as Oxen, 

 Cows, Horses, &c., whilst they make the least ap- 

 pearance of defending themselves, or even if they 

 do not betray any symptoms of fear. It sometimes 

 endeavours to disperse the cattle by its hideous 

 roaring; after which it selects and pursues one of 

 them, which it soon disables by a deadly bite, and 

 then devours. 



