THE SPOTTED HYANA 
are identical, except that those of prehistoric 
times were larger and more powerful. Great 
quantities of the bones of the Cave Hyena have 
been found in caverns in various parts of Europe 
and England, indicating that in ancient times the 
distribution of this large hyena was far greater 
than at the present day. In a cave at Madras in 
India the tooth of a Cave Hyzna has been found, 
and the inference is that the southern parts of 
Asia were also inhabited by this species of animal. 
The Spotted Hyena is nocturnal, lying concealed 
by day in caverns, recesses under boulders, in the 
midst of thorny scrub and matted undergrowth, 
and down the holes of Aard Varks or ant-eaters, 
the rightful owners having been driven off or de- 
voured. From these lairs beaten paths run in all 
directions, made by the nightly excursions of the 
animal. These hyenas may be met with in small 
troops consisting probably of parents and their 
grown-up puppies. At other times they hunt for 
food in pairs or singly. 
The traveller is soon made aware of the presence 
of Spotted Hyznas, for the stillness of the night is 
rudely disturbed by the deep and powerful cry of 
these animals, which starts with a prolonged mourn- 
ful note, beginning low and gradually rising to a 
high pitch. This is the cry of the animals when 
they desire to make their whereabouts known to 
each other. 
The second cry is altogether different, and is 
83 
