HABITS OF THE WILD DOG. 15 J 



Having summoned my men, and with consiberable 

 difficulty dragged the ponderous carcass of the old bull 



iuvariably hunt together in large organized packs, varying in number 

 from ten to sixty, and by their extraordinary powei-s of endui'ance, and 

 mode of mutual assistance, they are enabled to run into the swiftest, or 

 overcome the largest and most powerful antelope. I have never heard 

 of their attacking the buffalo, and I believe that the animal pursued in 

 the present instance is the largest to which they give battle. Their 

 pace is a long, never-tiriiig gallop, and in the chase they relieve one 

 another, the leading hounds falhng to the rear when fatigued, when 

 others, who have been husbanding their stretgth, come up and relieve 

 them. Having succeeded iii bringing their quarry to bay, they all sur- 

 round him, and he is immediately dragged to the ground, and in a few 

 nunutcB torn to pieces and consumed. They are of d. bold and daring dis- 

 position, and do not entertain much fear of man, evincing less concern 

 on his approach than any other carnivorous animal with which I am ac- 

 quainted. On disturbing a pack, they trot leisurely along before the 

 intruder, repeatedly "halting and looting back at him. The females 

 bring forth their young in large holes, in desolate open plains. These 

 burrows are connected with one smother under ground. When a troop 

 of wild dogs frequenting these holes observe a man approaching, they 

 do not, as might be supposed, take shelter in the holes, but, rather 

 trusting to their speed, they rush forth, even though the intruder should 

 be close upon them, and retreat across the plain, the young ones, unless 

 very weak, accompanying them. The devastation occasioned by them 

 among the flocks of the pastoral Dutch Boers is inconceivable. It con- 

 stancy happens, liiat when the careless shepherds leave their charge in 

 quest of honey or other amusement, a pack of these marauders comes 

 across the defenseless flock. A sanguinary massacre in such cases in 

 variably ensues, and incredible numbers of sheep are killed and wound- 

 ed. The voracious pack, not content with killing as many as they can 

 eat, foUow resolutely on, tearing and mangling all that come within 

 their reach. Their voice consists of three different kinds of cry, each 

 being used on special occasions. One of these cries is a sharp, angry 

 bark, usually uttered when they suddenly behold an object which they 

 can not make out. Another resembles atunmber of monkeys chattering 

 together, or men cpnversing while their teeth are chattering violently 

 from cold. This cry is emitted at night when large numbers of them 

 are together, and they are excited by any particular occurrence, such 

 as being barked at by domestic dogs. The third cry, and the one most 

 commonly uttered by them, is a sort of rallying note to bring the vari- 

 ous members of the pack together when they have been scattered in 

 following several individuals of a troop of antelopes. It is a peculiarly 

 soft, melodious cry, yet, nevertheless, it may be distinguished at a great 



