JACKAL. 
261 
to the dog. When taken young, they soon be- 
come domestic, attach themselves to mankind, 
wag their tails when pleased, and distinguish their 
masters from other persons. They love to be 
fondled, and patted with the hand ; and when 
called by name, will leap on a table or chair. 
They eat readily from the hand ; and drink as 
dogs do, by lapping. They are fond of playing 
with dogs ; unlike most others of this genus, 
which run away from them. Although carnivo- 
rous in a wild state, They eat bread eagerly. Mr. 
Pennant and Dr. Shaw seem of opinion, that they 
are the stock from which have sprung the various 
races of these domestic animals. 
In their native forests they associate in packs of 
from fifty to two hundred ; where they hunt du- 
ring the night, like hounds in full cry. They de- 
vour poultry and lambs, ravage the streets of vil- 
lages and gardens near towns, and are said even to 
destroy children which are left unprotected. They 
are bold and courageous ; sometimes entering the 
tent of a traveller while he is asleep, and stealing 
away any thing that is eatable. If animal prey 
is not to be met with, they will feed on roots and 
fruit. 
They not only attack the living but the dead. 
They scratch up, with their feet, the new made 
graves, and devour the corpse, how putrid soever. 
In those countries, therefore, where they abound^ 
they are obliged to beat the earth over the grave, 
and mix it with thorns, tc prevent the jackals 
from scraping it away. They always assist each 
other, as well in this employment of exumation, 
as in that of the chace. While they are at this 
dreary work, they exhort each other by a most 
mournful cry, resembling that of children under 
chastisement ; and when they have thus dug up 
the body, they share it amicably between them. 
