Jackals have often been tamed; and, under the circumstances, behave exactly like the Domestic Dog: they fawn upon their masters, wag their tails, and throw themselves on their backs with all four paws in the air, altogether like Dogs. The chief drawback to their domestication is their abominable smell; but it is stated by Colonel Sykes that a tame female Jackal in his possession was quite devoid of this odour, while a recently-caught male, which was placed with her, smelt so horribly as to be almost unapproachable. [Illustration: JACKAL OF SENEGAL.] The Common Jackal is found in Asia Minor, South-East Asia, including Persia and India, as far south as Ceylon, and in the North of Africa. The Black-backed Jackal (_Canis mesomelas_) is found in trans-Saharal Africa, from Nubia to the Cape. It is rather larger than the common kind, with longer ears and tail, a light red skin, with a black back-stripe. It is a very thievish animal, and is accused by some of the natives of eating off the tails of their Sheep. The Jackal of Senegal (_Canis anthus_) is one of the best marked varieties of the Jackal, and has a strong claim to the distinction of a separate specific name. It is considerably larger than the common kind, more elegantly built, and has very long legs, almost like those of a Greyhound. It is of a bright tawny colour, with dark band on the back, side, and chest. It is one of the commonest animals in Central Africa, and “its habits are different to those of the Common Jackal. It is more prudent and suspicious, and is completely nocturnal. During the day it lies hidden in a safe retreat, and nothing but chance can reveal its presence to the hunter.” The Crab-eating Dog (_Canis cancrivorus_) is a Jackal approaching in many respects, especially in its long and bushy tail, to the Foxes. It is found in the savannahs of South America. The Aguara, or Azara’s Fox (_Canis Azaræ_), another South American species, is almost half-way between Jackals and Foxes, the latter of which it chiefly resembles in its long tail and short snout. THE COMMON FOX.[130]