92 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



probably from custom, seem to have got over any such difficulty 

 and eagerly devour the remains the moment night sets in. 



The Brown Hyena {Hycena bnmned).~Stronte Voolf of the 

 Dutch. 



{^Height about the same as the Spotted Hyena. General colour 

 brown, clouded with a darker shade of the same hue; indistinct 

 transverse markings on thighs, becoming prominent on the le^s ■ 

 head, tail, and body longer, the latter less bulky in appearance- 

 hind quarters little sloped; ears comparatively large, straight and 

 pointed; hair all over long and coarse, especially along the back 

 sides, and over rump, where it is sometimes 8 or lo inches in length; 

 no prominence of mane. \ 



This species of Hyena appears to be peculiar to South Africa alone, 

 and is the most common in maritime districts. An odd one may 

 still be found in the most unfrequented portions of the Cape Colony 

 particularly in the North-western territory, being more plentiful in 

 the Interior, but nowhere is it so common as the Spotted Hyena. 

 One was killed last year within five miles of Mafeking. Its habits 

 are almost identical with the species last described, but its disposition 

 is not nearly so aggressive or daring. It mostly frequents the banks 

 of rivers or the sea shore in search of such dead fish and garbage as 

 may be thrown up by the water. 



The Ard Wolf or Wlona Jackal {Proteles lalandi.) 



[ffeight about ig inches. General colour, yellowish or reddish 

 brown, with a few vertical black bands on the sides of the body, 

 others being horizontal on the legs, the markings somewhat resem- 

 bling the Striped Hyena (Hyaena straita) of Northern Africa.* 

 General appearance extremely like the true Hyenas ; the body 

 sloping very much in the direction of the hind quarters, but is 

 different from them anatomically; snout rather long and pointed; 

 ears very much so; tail rather short and bushy; four toes only on 

 the hind feet; upright mane of stiff hair down the neck and back; 

 remainder of fur long and woolly ?\ 



* It has been asserted that 'the Striped Hyena has been found in the Zambesi 

 regions, but it is probable that it has been confounded with the brown variety 

 {Hycena brunnea). 



