BUNTING THE AGOUTI AND VISCACHA. 169 



THE AGOUTI. 



them, so that at present they have become comparatively rare in 

 the sugar islands, though at the first settlement of the Antilles and 

 Bahamas they swarmed in multitudes, and were the principal 

 article of food for the Indians. 



The Agouti is very abundant in Brazil and Guiana, and occurs 

 also in Paraguay, where it was observed by D'Azara, who informs 

 us that the Guianians term it Cotia ; in size it is about equal to a 

 rabbit, but it rarely if ever makes a burrow. It frequents densely 

 wooded districts in preference to open land, and generally takes up 

 its residence in the hollow trunks of decayed trees, where it remains 

 concealed during the day. This retreat usually serves for several 

 individuals, for it appears to be gregarious, associating in small 

 troops of eighteen or twenty individuals. Its movements are rapid, 

 active and abrupt, and when chased, it bounds along- like a hare, 

 to gain its accustomed hiding-place. 



In Brazil and Guiana, the agouti is exposed to wholesale de- 

 struction for the sake of its flesh, which is said to be intermediate 

 in flavor between the hare and rabbit ; but in Paraguay, according 

 to D'Azara, no one eats it, and M. Moreau St. Mery, observes 

 that it has a strong sort of flavor, and is a dish of little relish to 

 the palate. The latter writer also informs us that the agouti is 

 common in the island of St. Lucia, and also inhabits others of the 

 West Indian group : and that in 1788 several were taken in St. 

 Domingo, which had made a hollow tree their domicil. 



The Viscacha is thus described by Mr. Bennett. 



Taking the place of the rabbit, which is wanting m Peru, there 

 is another kind of animal called viscacha, which is not found in 



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