IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 83 



exercise as is possible. Wild dogs are not quarrelsome animals ; two 

 or more can, therefore, be kept together in the same cage. 



Food. — The want of success in keeping wild dogs alive for more 

 than two years has probably been due partly to the absence of exercise, 

 and partly to the nature of the diet, which consisted chiefly of beef, raw 

 or boiled. In their wild state they are accustomed to hunt and kill deer, 

 antelopes, and wild pigs for food, which not only implies fresh food, 

 but a considerable amount of exercise. The specimen now in the garden 

 is fed upon fowls, rabbits, mutton, eggs, and occasionally beef. En- 

 deavours are also being made to feed it upon bread, but as yet it has 

 not taken kindly to this food. 



Transport. — No particular directions are necessary, as it may be 

 treated like one of the cats or larger civets. 



Treatment in sickness. 



Diarrhoea and skin disease have been observed in wild dogs. The 

 diarrhoea was probably the result of unsuitable diet and want of 

 exercise. In May 1889 a mangy-looking wild dog arrived from 

 Darjeeling. On examination it was found to be suffering from exten- 

 sive skin disease ; part of its body was bare, the fur that remained was 

 completely matted with the filth of the cage and the exudation of the 

 skin. The animal, being in the last stage of exhaustion, was fed before 

 being removed to a new and comfortable cage. When it had recovered 

 from the nervousness caused by travel and new surroundings, it was 

 washed with carbolic soap and tepid water, wiped dry and placed 

 in a separate cage with a thick bedding of straw, and the whole body 

 smeared with a solution of phenyle. Some difficulty was found in 

 supporting its strength, as it would not eat properly. The next day 

 the matted fur was cut off and the body smeared with sulphur and 

 boracic ointment. Under this treatment the animal recovered in about 

 a month and a half. 



Observations on the habits of a Wild Dog. 



For a few days a pair of adult wild dogs were kept in a place 

 with a mud floor ; they at once set about digging holes in it, and 

 made use of it, when finished, as a sleeping place, in spite of the pre- 

 sence of a deal-wood box which was given them for this purpose. A wild 

 dog does not appear to be as shy as a jackal or a wolf : it will stand or 

 sit quite close to the bars of its cage, and when sufficiently tame is 

 somewhat demonstrative. In captivity it has not been heard to howl 

 or cry, but sometimes one may be heard to utter a kind of squeaking 

 sound. It does not appear to be fond of water. 



(89) THE INDIAN FOX. 



(VULPES BENGALENSIS— SAcw.) 



Hindi — Lomri. Bengali — Khehsial. 



This is such a well-known animal in Lower Bengal that any 

 description would be superfluous. 



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