1872.] DR. J. MURIE ON THE INDIAN WILD DOG. 715 



5. On the Indian Wild Dog. 

 By Dr. James Murie, F.L.S. 



[Received May 21, 1872.] 



Captain Gildea, of the 21st Fusileers, presented to the Society a 

 male and a female specimen of the Indian Wild Dog on the 4th of 

 August, 1867. These animals were believed to be, and named ac- 

 cordingly in the Menagerie, Cuon dukhunensis, Sykes. Neither was 

 an absolutely old animal, as subsequent examination showed ; but 

 they had the appearance of being adult. Unfortunately I learned 

 when too late that the donor had expressed a wish that a photograph 

 of the Dogs when alive should be taken. To make up for this un- 

 intentional inadvertence to the Captain's request, I had careful 

 drawings made of their characteristic features from the dead body, 

 some of which I here exhibit to the Meeting. 



I am not cognizant of any observations as to their habits havin» 

 been noted prior to their receipt by the Society. But I may men- 

 tion that when in the Gardens they were exceedingly active, snap- 

 ping, snarling, and in their general behaviour resembling a couple 

 of Wolves rather than sedate Dogs. I am not aware that they were 

 heard to bark ; but occasionally they howled and whined. 



Their tout ensemble conveyed to me the idea of a compound 

 between Wolf, Jackal, and Fox, partly on account of their colour, 

 partly from their size and general shape, and also partially from the 

 contour of the head, ear-outline, and direction of the eyes. But, 

 on the other hand, a critical inspection left the impression that they 

 were more markedly of the Dog type. 



The pair of animals very nearly corresponded in size, so that the 

 accompanying series of measurements of the female may serve as an 

 indication of their stature and proportions : — 



Length from the snout to the tip of tail 42 



Length of the tail 12 



Height at the shoulder, about 15 



Height at the loins i g 



From the shoulder-joint to the tip of claws \4 3 



From the hip-joint to the point, mid toe, hind limb ........ 18 



Head, measured from snout to occiput (following curve) ..'.". 7 



Breadth of forehead (between the eyes and ears) 41 



Breadth of forehead (between the eyes and the nose) 2 X 



Distance from eye to ear 3! 



Eye distant from point of nose 2^ 



Ears in length gf 



Ears in breadth (in position). . . , 2* 



4 



Their colour was entirely reddish or fulvous brown, and remark- 

 ably like the tint of a Fox. The tip of the nose and lower part of 

 the face were somewhat darker j and the tail also exhibited deepening 

 of hue. Moreover, upon the outer side of the hind leg, and simi- 



