74 



THE MAMMALS OF ETHIOPIAN AFRICA 



Hunting-Dog. 



cases its colour is pale yellow with a slight reddish tinge, the upper surface of the 

 tail displaying a very distinct dark gland-spot close to the root. 



A very remarkable animal, the African hunting-dog (Lycaon 

 pictus), differs from all other members of the Oanidce by having only 

 four toes on the front, as well as on the hind feet. It is further distinguished by 

 the peculiar blending of tawny orange, white, and black in its coat ; this type of 

 coloration, as well as the general build of the animal, recalling that of the spotted 

 hyEena. The hunting-dog stands about 24 inches at the withers, and measures about 

 5 feet in length, of which some 14 inches are taken up bj r the tail. The range of 

 this animal extends from the Cape through East Africa to Somaliland. In the 



HUNTING-DOG. 



typical southern race orange is largely prevalent in the coloration, but farther north 

 black and white are the prevailing tints. The nearest relatives of the hunting-dog 

 appear to be the red wild dogs, or dholes, of Asia. 



Hunting-dogs derive their name from the habit of associating in large packs, 

 which run down and kill even the largest antelopes. It is reported that when the 

 leading dogs are exhausted, those at the rear of the pack, which have husbanded 

 their strength by cutting off corners, come to the front until the antelope is spent, 

 and either resigns itself to its fate or stands at bay. When the latter occurs, the 

 dogs are in nowise daunted, not even the piteous cries of a fatally wounded member 

 of the pack being sufficient to clamp their courage. Watching its opportunity, one 

 dog will seize the antelope by the throat, and in a moment the rest of the pack will 



