THE PECCARIES 



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is blackish brown, becoming yellowish brown mingled with white on the flanks. 

 The under parts are brown, and the upper part of the chest white, while a broad 

 yellowish-white stripe runs from the hinder part of the shoulders obliquely downward 

 to the chest. 



The white-lipped peccary (D. labiatus} is a rather larger species than the last, 

 its height at the shoulder varying from fifteen and one-half to nearly eighteen 

 inches. It is further distinguished by the presence of a large white spot on the lower 

 jaw, and the white lips; the general color of the hair being grayish black. There is 

 also a difference in the mane and fringe on the neck of the two species. The range 

 of the white-lipped peccary is comparatively small, including only the region lying 

 between British Honduras and Paraguay. 



Habits 



THE COLLARED PECCARY AND YOUNG. 



(One-ninth natural size.) 



All peccaries are essentially forest-dwelling animals, but whereas the 

 collared peccary is found only singly or in pairs, or in small parties of 

 from eight to ten individuals, the white-lipped species associates in large herds, of 

 whicjh the members may be numbered by scores. Moreover, there is a marked dif- 

 ference in the disposition of the two species, the former being a harmless and inof- 

 fensive creature, whereas the other is comparatively fierce, and not unfrequently 

 inflicts severe wounds with its tusks. Indeed, when a herd of these animals is en- 

 countered in the forest, the hunter frequently has to seek protection by climbing a 

 tree. Both species frequent only the densest and most extensive forests, dwell- 

 ing either in the hollows of trees, in burrows excavated by other animals, or among 

 bushes and grass; and in parts of South America they ascend in the mountains to 

 heights of between three thousand and four thousand feet above the sea. The herds 

 or parties are under the leadership of an old boar. Peccaries wander about both 



