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PECC AVxY.—Bicotyles Tajaciu 



The common Peccary, or Tajacu, of Americca, although it is of no very great 

 ■.iimensions, resembling a small pig in size, is yet as terrible an animal as the Wily 

 Boar itself. Ever fierce and irritable of temper, the Peccary is as formidable an 

 antagonist as can be seen in any land, for it knows no fear, and will attack and 

 foe without any hesitation. Fear is a feeling of which the Peccary is ignorant, 

 probably because its intellect is not of a very high order, and it is unable to com- 

 prehend danger. 



The usual resting-place of the Peccary is in the hollow of a fallen tree, or in 

 some burrow that has been dug by an armadillo and forsaken by the original 

 inhabitant. The hollow tree, however, is the favourite resort, and into one of 

 these curious habitations a part}'^ of Peccarries will retreat, each backing into the 

 aperture as far as he can penetrate the trunk, until the entire hollow is filled with 

 the odd little creatures. The one who last enters becomes the sentinel, and keeps 

 a sharp watch on the neighbourhood. 



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