NOTES ON MAMMALS FOUND IN THE SIMLA DISTRICT. 735 



Munr/os auropunctatus f) are common around Kalka, but I have been 

 unable to procure any specimens. I hope, however, to do so before long, 

 and settle all doubtful points. 



I have observed that the Mungoose found in parts of the United 

 Provinces about the Azamgarh, Ballia and Gorakhpore Districts readily 

 climbs a tree when pursued by dogs. 



12. Hyaena hyaena, L. — The Striped Hycena. 

 (Blanford No. 66.) 

 (Simla Hill States = "Tarrak"; Kangra = "Tarrak"; Kulu = 

 *' Lagar Bagar "). 



The Hysena has been seen in the hills at Dagshai, Sabathu and 

 Kasauli. It is fairly common about Kalka. I have heard its unearthly 

 yells on the top of the Shalli Peak (8,000-9,000 feet) in the depth of winter. 



13. Oanis pallipes, Sykes. — The Indian Wolf. 

 (Blanford No. 68.) 

 (Simla Hill States (outer hills) and Kangra -= " Bhagiara ".) 

 The Indian Wolf has been seen in the neighbourhood of Kalka, but on 

 very rare occasions. It does not appear to enter these hills. 



14. Canis indicus, Hodgs. — The Jackal. 

 (Blanford No. 69.) 



(Simla Hill States = " Shial," " Phai," " Gidaree "). 



An adult (S shot in Simla on the 16th July 1912, measured as follows: — 



Head and body 812 mm. ; tail 228 mm. ; ear 64 mm. ; height 482 mm. 



Skull : From anterior margin of foramen magnum to anterior border of 

 premaxillaries 146 mm. ; from supraoccipital to end of premaxillaries 153 

 mm. ; zygomatic breadth 97 mm. 



The Jackal is common at all seasons in Simla, and abounds throughout 

 the lesser ranges. 



It is most destructive to the crops of Indian corn. When the female 

 has young, she becomes exceedingly bold, and frequently carries off the 

 lambs and kids belonging to the villagers in these parts. 



It breeds in the hills during May-June, generally producing four young 

 at each birth. 



In addition to the tisual diabolical yells, its peculiar cry " Phiou," is 

 frequently heard in the heart of the station here, and, as suggested by 

 Jerdon, is apparently an alarm note. 



The skins of this animal shot in the neighbourhood of Simla, during the 

 winter months, make excellent rugs. 



I do not remember to have ever heard of a case of one of these animals 

 having gone mad in the hills. 



Some years ago I tamed a pair of Jackals, which were taken when 

 quite young, and were brought up with the house dogs. One of the 

 consequences of this close association was that these animals learnt to 

 imitate the dogs in various ways. They would rush out of the house 

 after strangers just in the manner of dogs, hunt in company with them, 

 and once actually helped to kill a wild cat ! They would often come to 

 the table for scraps, but never got rid of that horrible habit of howling 

 when they heard their brethren outside. 



15. CuoN DUKHUNENsis, Sykes. — The Indian Wild Dog. 

 (Blanford No. 70.) 

 My object in mentioning this species in these notes is merely to draw 

 attention to the statement made by Blanford that Wilson discovered a 



