HUNTIXG-DOG. 571 



hysena is due to some advantage which the hunting-dog thereby gains. It is, 

 however, verv difficult to see what advantage a strong animal hunting in packs, 

 like the present species, can gain by being mistaken for a hytena, as it is in every 

 respect fully qualified to take care care of itself. If, however, we could suppose 

 that the hunting-dog was originally a solitary animal, which had subsequently 

 become gregarious, then perhaps the resemblance to the hyaena miglit have been 

 an advantage to it. 



Although generally nocturnal, the hunting-dog may occasionally be seen 

 durino- the day. One of the best accounts of its habits is given by Gordon Gumming, 

 who writes as follows : — " The wild dogs, or vilde honden, as they are called by the 

 Dutch boers, are still [about 1845] abundant in the precincts of the Cape Colony, 

 and are met with in great numbers throughout tlie interior. These animals 

 invariably hunt together in large organised packs, varying in number from ten to 

 sixty, and by their extraordinary powers of endurance, and mode of mutual assist- 

 ance, they are enabled to run into the swiftest or overcome the largest and most 

 powerful antelope. I have never heard of them attacking the buffalo, and I believe 

 that the animal pursued in the present instance [a gnu] is the largest to which they 

 give battle. Their pace is a long never-tiring gallop, and in the chase they relieve 

 one another, the leading hounds falling to the rear when fatigued, when others, 

 who have been husbanding their strength, come up and relieve them. Having 

 succeeded in bringing their quarry to bay, they all surround him, and he is imme- 

 diately dragged to the ground, and in a few minutes torn to pieces and consumed. 

 They are of a bold and daring disposition, and do not entertain much fear of man, 

 evincino- less concern on his approach than any other carnivorous animal with 

 which I am acquainted. On disturbing a pack, they trot leisurely along before the 

 intruder, repeatedly halting and looking back at him. The females bring forth 

 their young in large holes, in desolate open plains. These burrows are connected 

 with one another underground. When a troop of wild dogs frequenting these 

 holes observes a man approaching they do not, as might be supposed, take shelter 

 in the holes, but rather trusting to their speed, they rush forth, even though the 

 intruder should be close upon them, and retreat across the plain, the young ones, 

 unless very weak, accompanying them. The devastation occasioned by them 

 among the flocks of the Dutch boers is inconceivable. It constantly happens that 

 when the careless shepherds leave their charge, in quest of honey or other amuse- 

 ment, a pack of these marauders comes across the defenceless flock. A sanguinary 

 massacre in such cases invariably ensues, and incredible numbers of sheep are 

 killed and wounded. The voracious pack, not content with killing as many as 

 they can eat, follow resolutely on, tearing and mangling all that come within- their 

 reach. Their voice consists of three different kinds of cry, each being used on 

 special occasions. One of these cries is a short angry bark, usually uttered when 

 they behold an object which they cannot make out. Another resembles a number 

 of monkeys chattering together, or men conversing together when their teeth are 

 chattering violently from cold. This cry is emitted at night, when large numbei-s 

 of them are togetlier, and tliey are excited by any particular occurrence, such as 

 being barked at by domestic dogs. The third cry resembles the second note 

 uttered by the cuckoo which visits our islands during the summer months, and, when 



