JACKALS. 
5 °7 
In inhabited districts on the west coast the side-striped jackal frequently 
enters the native villages, where it interbreeds with the domestic dogs. Its cry, 
which may be heard night and morning at all seasons of the year, is fully as long- 
drawn and appalling as that of the common jackal. Pechuel-Loesche tells us that 
these animals can be tamed with facility, and that, when in the Loango district 
he had several young specimens, one of which attained maturity. They were 
extremely playful, and would run after and catch almost any animals they saw, 
including beetles, grasshoppers, birds, and small mammals. They would readily 
eat almost anything that was offered them, such as bread, beans, rice, fish, flesh, 
bananas, and oil-palm nuts. Although gentle and friendly as a rule, to some 
individuals they took a marked dislike, growling and showing their teeth when- 
been met with by Du Chaillu in the Gabun district, and by Mr. Johnston in the 
plains around Kilima-njaro on the east coast. Du Chaillu states that on the west 
coast these animals hunt in packs, surrounding and chasing such kinds of game as 
they are able to kill. He gives the native name of the animal on the west coast as 
Mboyo, but according to Dr. Pechuel-Loesche—who mentions that it is chiefly 
nocturnal, and seldom seen between the hours of nine and four in the day—it is 
known in the Loango district as the Mbulu. It preys upon the smaller mammals 
and sick individuals of the larger species, and will also eat the fruit of the oil-palm. 
VARIETY OP THE SIDE-STRIEED JACKAL lmt. size). 
