THE ABYSSINIAN PHACOCHCERE. 89 



astonishing that the pigs should be carried about in this 

 manner between such large tusks as those of their 

 mothers, without being hurt or crying out in the least. 

 I saw the same done, however, on two other occasions, 

 as I was chasing them. The cry of their young was like 

 that of our common pigs, as I found in some we after- 

 wards caught." 



The Abyssinian Phacochcere 



(Ph. JEliani, Rtippell). 



This species was found by Riippell first in Kordofan, 

 but afterwards in greater abundance on the eastern slope 

 of Abyssinia. It haunts low bushes and forests, an,d 

 has a habit of creeping on its bent fore limbs in quest of 

 food. In this attitude, it uses its tusks in digging up or 

 tearing out of the ground the roots of plants, which 

 constitute part of its diet. When thus engaged it pushes 

 its body forwards by means of its hind legs, in order to 

 move along. This habit of kneeling to feed has been 

 observed in the species from Cape Verde. We have 

 occasionally noticed it in the common hog. (Fig. 45.) 



45. — Abyssinian Phacochcere. 



