JACKALS. 



507 



been met with by Du Chaillu in the Gabun district, and by Mr. Johnston in the 

 plains around Kilima-njaro on the east coast. Du Chailhi states that on the west 

 coast tliese animals hunt in packs, surrounding and chasing such kinds of game as 

 they are able to kill. He gives the native name of the animal on the west coast as 

 Mboj-o, but according to Dr. Pechuel-Loesche — who mentions that it is chiefly 

 nocturnal, and .seldom seen between the hours of nine and four in the day — it is 

 known in the Loango district as the Mbulu. It preys upon the smaller mammals 

 and sick indixiiluals of the larger species, and will also eat the fruit of the oil-palm. 



V.VBIETV OP- THE SIDE-STIIIPED J.VCKAL (J imt. .size). 



In inhabited districts on the west coast the side-striped jackal frequently 

 enters the native villages, where it interbreeds with the domestic dogs. Its cr}', 

 which may be heard night and morning at all seasons of the year, is fully as long- 

 drawn and appalling as that of the common jackal. Pechuel-Loesche tells us that 

 these animals can be tamed with facility, and that, when in the Loango district 

 he had several young specimens, one of which attained maturity. They were 

 extremely playful, and would run after and catch almost any animals they saw, 

 including beetles, grasshoppers, birds, and small mammals. They would readily 

 eat almost anything that was offered them, such as bread, beans, rice, tish, flesh, 

 bananas, and oil-palm nuts. Although gentle and friendly as a rule, to some 

 individuals they took a marked dislike, growling and showing their teeth when- 



