JACKALS. 503 
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the north of the Sahara. In the Himalaya it ascends to from three to four 
thousand feet above the sea-level. Throughout India it may be found indifferently 
in hilly or plain country, in forest or open districts, or in large cities. 
Although jackals are frequently in the habit of going singly or in pairs, they — 
often associate in packs, which may be of considerable size; these assemblages 
being more frequent at night than during the daytime. In India the jackal is 
considered by Mr. Blanford to be a more decidedly nocturnal animal than the wolf, 
but its wanderings are by no means confined to the night; and, during the 
winter, jackals may be seen abroad at all hours of the day. In extremely 
We! e 
ANY Wy TT 
THE JACKAL (} nat. size). 
hot weather they appear to suffer much, and may be found either lying in the 
water, where they spend most of the day, or sneaking away therefrom, instead 
of being, as usual, hidden away in their holes. Their food comprises not only 
carrion and the flesh of such animals as they are able to kill, but also fruit, maize, 
and sugar-cane. In the towns and villages of India the jackals act as efficient 
scavengers. Occasionally they take to killing poultry and lambs or kids; and 
Jerdon states that weakly goats and sheep often become their prey, while wounded 
antelopes are tracked down and killed. Among vegetable foods, the chief favourite 
seems to be the so-called ber-fruit; but Prof. Ball reports that in certain districts 
jackals'do enormous damage to the sugar plantations, biting ten or a dozen canes 
