156 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



publicly against this, as I had never found anything but insects 

 (especially Termites) in the stomachs of those which I had dis- 

 sected ; and the unanimous testimony of experienced and trust- 

 worthy farmers in our district was to the effect that although it 

 does a little damage by breaking Ostrich eggs, it very rarely 

 if ever touches live stock ; in fact, only one certain case was cited 

 to me in which the bones of a lamb were found in the hole 

 inhabited by Maanhaar Jackals, who had to provide for a litter 

 of young ones at the time. I need scarcely say that this case 

 does not prove that the Maanhaar Jackal kills lambs, as he is 

 known to devour carrion. To my astonishment I was met by a 

 howl of indignation, proceeding from farmers living in other 

 districts, who were positive that this animal was a dangerous 

 enemy to their flocks ; and if they are correct (and I must say 

 that there were intelligent and observant men amongst them) 

 the Maanhaar Jackal must have changed its habits during recent 

 times and in certain districts only, when possibly with the 

 advance of civilization its natural food is failing. However, I 

 cannot admit that the question is definitely settled. 



