WILD AND HALF-RECLAIMED DOGS. 29 



race rather as objects of curiosity than either of apprehension or 

 enmity. The natives who reside near the Ranochitty and Kat- 

 cunsandy passes, in which vicinity the dholes may frequently be 

 seen, describe them as confining their attacks entirely to wild ani- 

 mals, and assert that they will not prey on sheep, goats, etc. ; but 

 others, in the country extending southward from Jelinah and 

 Merhungunge, maintain that cattle are frequently lost by their 

 depredations. I am inclined to believe that the dhole is not par- 

 ticularly ceremonious, but will, when opportunity offers, and a 

 meal is wanting, obtain it at the expense of the neighboring 

 village. 



" The peasants likewise state that the dhole is eager in propor- 

 tion to the animal he hunts, preferring the elk to any other kind 

 of deer, and particularly seeking the royal tiger. It is probable 

 that the dhole is the principal check on the multiplication of the 

 tiger ; and although incapable individually, or perhaps in small 

 numbers, to effect the destruction of so large and ferocious an 

 animal, may, from their custom of hunting in packs, easily over- 

 come any smaller beast found in the wilds of India." Unlike 

 most dogs which hunt in packs, the dholes run nearly mute, utter- 

 ing only occasionally a slight whimper, which may serve to guide 

 their companions equally well with the more sonorous tongues of 

 other hounds. The speed and endurance of these dogs are so great 

 as to enable them to run down most of the varieties of game which 

 depend upon flight for safety, while the tiger, the elk, and the 

 boar diminish the numbers of these animals by making an obsti- 

 nate defence with their teeth, claws, or horns, so that the breed of 

 dholes is not on the increase. 



THE PARIAH. 



This is the general name in India for the half-reclaimed dogs 

 which swarm in every village, owned by no one in particular, but 

 ready to accompany any individual on a hunting excursion. They 

 vary in appearance in different districts, and can not be described 



