62 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



The Peccaries are the American relatives of 

 the wild boars of the Old World, but there are 

 certain well-marked differences between the two 

 groups. The points of the upper tusks of the 

 Peccary are directed downward instead of up- 

 ward as with the swine ; the Peccary has no 

 external toe on its hind feet ; it has a rudimentary 

 tail, and a complex instead of a simple stomach. 

 In the middle of the back the Peccary has a 



droves, sometimes of considerable numbers, and, 

 when attacked, all assume the offensive, and are 

 capable of doing much damage with their sharp 

 tushes ; and a man in the midst of a number of 

 enraged Peccaries is fortunate if he is able to 

 find a tree to climb, that being about the only 

 method of saving his life." Mr. A. G. Requa, 

 relates an experience of his when treed by Pec- 

 caries in Mexico. He had just shot a wild tur- 



COLLARED PECCARY 



The wild relative of the pig tribe, sometime called the Musk Hog, is fond of the jungles of tropical America, 

 but is also at home among the cactus and sage of our southwestern states 



large gland containing an oily substance smelling 

 somewhat like musk ; hence the animal is some- 

 times called the Musk Hog. When in anger the 

 Peccary ejects this substance, the odor emitted 

 is very rank. 



In appearance the Collared Peccary resembles 

 a small common hog. The range of the American 

 species extends from the Red River of Arkan- 

 sas, latitude 34° south through Mexico, Central 

 and South America to the Rio Negro of Pata- 

 gonia. Elliot says of the Peccaries : " These 

 animals are fearless and pugnacious, associate in 



key, and, lieing warm, had sat down on a rock 

 to rest, taking olf his coat. " I had not sat 

 there," he writes, " more than five minutes before 

 I heard the sharp noise of the Peccaries. They 

 came in sight not more than twenty yards below 

 me. I fired at one, and, just as I intended, only 

 crippled him. He set up a great squealing, and 

 sure enough, here they came! I was just a little 

 excited, and started for a tree, forgetting my 

 coat and turkey. I had scarcely time to get up 

 when they were around the tree, and, instead of 

 twelve, they kept coming until there were at least 



