THE AGUTIS AND PA CAS 



of suckling several months in duration. The Ecuador paca is said to be not un- 

 common in the forests on both sides of the Andes. It makes a burrow with two 

 entrances, in which a male and female take up their residence. The natives, who 

 hunt these animals for the sake of their flesh, pursue them in the forests with dogs, 

 and then drive them out from their burrows by lighting a fire at one of the en- 

 trances. 



A tame individual of the common species noticed by Rengger was at first very 

 shy and suspicious, biting fiercely at the hands of any person approaching it. Dur- 



THE PACA. 

 (One-fourth natural size.) 



ing the day it endeavored to conceal itself as much as possible, but at night it 

 would wander about the house, uttering a grunting noise, and consuming such food 

 as was placed for it. In the course of a few months its shyness and ferocity gradu- 

 ally disappeared, and it learned to distinguish between its master and strangers, 

 although it never exhibited friendliness to anyone. It would eat almost any kind 

 of human food, except flesh, and was remarkably cleanly in its habits, frequently 

 dressing its fur with its claws. Bright sunlight seemed to blind the creature; while 

 in the dark its large eyes gleamed like those of a cat. 



