IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 81 



Its general form is elongate and the snout pointed. The stripes and 

 the general colour of the body are subject to change at different seasons 

 of the year. 



Hub. — West Africa. A specimen of this species was obtained 

 from Zanzibar, but whether it was imported from the west coast or was 

 procured in East Africa is not known. 



Length of life in captivity. 



A black -backed jackal lived for about six years, and a side-striped 

 species for about seven. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — May be kept like an Indian jackal. 

 Food, — The same as an Indian jackal. 



Observations on their habits. 



Of the two, the side-striped jackal was tamer than the black- 

 backed species; it was not unfrequently observed to wag its tail in 

 recognition of kindness shown to it. It was as restless as the Indian 

 or the black-backed jackal, but was not suspicious, Neither of the 

 species was ever heard to cry. The stripes of the side-striped species 

 and the black of the black-backed one altogether disappeared during 

 the rainy seasons, appearing again in winter. They both liked dry 

 places, and their invariable habit during the winter was to retire to 

 bed early, perhaps to enjoy the warmth of the straw. 



(87) THE DINGO. 



(CANIS DINGO— Blumenb.) 



Description, — It resembles the pariah dog of India in appearance. 

 Ears erect, hairs about ears longish, tail slightly curved upward, with 

 pendant hairs underneath it. Colour brownish-red throughout, except 

 the chest and abdomen, where it is somewhat whitish. 



Hab. — Australia. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 A specimen has been living since January 1882. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing.— As the animal has rather active habits, its place ought 

 to be large enough to enable it to run backwards and forwards as it is 

 wont to do ; and, as its temper cannot be trusted, the cage ought to be 

 divided into two compartments, so that it may be shut into one while 

 the other is being cleaned. A sleeping-box, or more properly a kennel 

 should be provided. The specimen now living in the garden likes 

 wallowing in water during the summer, and a large earthen vessel is 

 sunk in the ground for the purpose. 



Food, — Boiled beef is its ordinary diet, but it is occasionally 

 allowed a roasted fowl or boiled mutton by way of change. 



