246 THE BAKBARY JACKAL* 



reconnoitre them without any symptoms of fear i 

 that it is exceedingly voracious ; and, when nothing 

 better offers, will even eat the leather of harnessing, 

 or boots and shoes. Whenever any of these crea- 

 tures begin to utter their cry, all the rest do the 

 same ; so that when one has entered a house to steal, 

 and hears his companions at a distance, he cannot 

 refrain from adding his voice to the number, and is 

 thus frequently detected *. 



THE EAREARY JACKAL -j". 



The Barbary Jackal is about the size of the com- 

 mon Fox, and is of a brownish fawn-colour. From 

 behind each ear runs a black line ; which soon di- 

 vides into two, extending downwards along the 

 neck. The tail is bushy, and surrounded by three 

 dusky rings. 



This species is found in Egypt ; never in flocks 

 like the common Jackal, but always singly. It is 

 a very adroit animal. He ventures to approach, 

 even in the open day. the houses near which he 

 has his subterraneous abode ; and carefully concealed 

 beneath thick bushes, he frequently creeps without 

 noise, surprises the poultry, carries off their eggs, 

 and leaves no traces of his exploits but the devas- 

 tations themselves. — One of his principal talents 

 consists in the hunting of birds ; and in this he ex- 



* Butr. Quad. vi. 257. 

 t Synonyms. — Canis Barbari-.s. S/tt-r.—Bzvhary Scliakal. Pc7ii7. 

 -Tlialcb. SL'iiniiii. — Uaibarv Jackal. 5/i«w. 



