i62 CHAPTERS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 



rather appalling when heard for the first time at night, and he 

 remarks that as they usually corne in packs, the first shriek 

 which is uttered is always the signal for a general chorus. " We 

 hardly know," continued the captain, " a sound which partakes 

 less of harmony than that which is at present in question; and, 

 indeed, the sudden burst of the answering, long-protracted 

 scream, succeeding immediately to the opening note, is scarcely 

 less impressive than the roll of the thunder clap immediately 

 after a flash of lightning. The effect of this music is very much 

 increased when the first note is heard in the distance — a circum- 

 stance which often occurs — and the answering yell bursts out 

 from several points at once, within a few yards or feet of the 

 place where the auditors are sleeping." 



People residing in India often find pretty good sport in hunting 

 jackals with foxhounds and greyhounds; and, as the animal is 

 endowed with no mean amount of cunning, he is not far behind 

 the average fox in the chase. It is said that their bite is more 

 than severe, and that if run down they will feign death in order 

 to escape being taken. AYhen domesticated, in habits and much 

 else they remind one of certain breeds of dogs, wagging their 

 tails when called, or crouching upon the ground when rebuked. 



Like foxes, the jackals have a peculiar, not to say offensive, 

 odor about them, due to the secretion of a gland at the base of 

 the tail. In domesticated individuals this feature is not nearly 

 so apparent as in the wild animals. 



Jackals have been charged with the crime of grave-robbing, 

 and especially the shallow graves of soldiers on the field after 

 battle, but how much truth there may be in this accusation the 

 present writer is unable to say. In the case of the coyote of the 

 west, however, I know it to be true, for years ago, when stationed 

 as post surgeon at a far western post, there were hung one even- 

 ing near the fort two notorious " road-agents " (stage-robbers), 

 and they were awarded shallow graves under the cottonwood- 

 tree where they met their fate. A few days after I was collecting 

 birds in the neighborhood, and stepping over to this place of 

 burial, I observed a spacious burrow leading down to either body. 

 Three or four coyotes stood off at no great distance watching my 

 movements, and there can hardly be any doubt but that they 

 were the authors of the desecration. 



Recently I have read a senseless discussion in reference to 

 Samson, who, it is claimed in ancient literature, placed firebrands 



