$8 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
of a mixture of gray and black, which is abruptly and 
strikingly distinguished from the deep and uniform 
tawny of his shoulders, haunches, and legs: his head is 
nearly of the same mixed shade with the upper surface 
of his body, as is also the greater part of his tail, which 
latter, however, becomes black towards its extremity ; 
his neck and throat are whitish, and the under surface 
of his body is distinguished by a paler hue. 
Unlike the wolf or the fox, he always associates him- 
self with his species in numerous troops, which burrow 
together in the earth, hunt in concert, and act in con- 
junction for their mutual defence. These bands not only 
prey upon the smaller quadrupeds and domestic poultry, 
but, emboldened by their numbers, give chase to and 
attack the larger animals. ‘They frequently follow in 
the train of more noble beasts, and make their meal off 
the remains of the carcases which have been half de- 
voured by the Lion or the Tiger. When taken they 
become almost immediately tame and docile; offering 
no resistance and evincing no signs of ferocity. The 
specimen in the Tower is remarkably quiet; it is a male, 
and has been a resident for upwards of three years. 
