208 THE WILD BOAR. 



eye very full, with much display of the white when 

 in action. The head short, thickly furnished with 

 hair inclining to curl ; a very muscular neck ; a 

 high shoulder ; the back very nearly straight ; the 

 loins broad ; the bristles thick on the neck and 

 shoulder. The tail rather short, and near the 

 tips covered with lateral bristles, resembling the 

 wings of an arrow."* Plate XVIII. exhibit* the 

 female and young. 



In its wild state, in Europe, the Wild Boar 

 frequents the most retired forests. He lives 

 solitary, choosing some deep recess for his lair, 

 near a convenient watering place, and having 

 access to some glade or path, which conducts to 

 the more open country. Hence he only sallies in 

 the evening in search of food, which is chiefly 

 vegetables, roots, or fruits ; but during the season of 

 harvest very considerable damage is effected, not 

 only to the grain crops, but also to the vineyards. 

 It is only during the rutting season, that the native 

 Hog is somewhat gregarious, and selects a female 

 after an exhibition of his prowess against his rivals 

 on the same errand. The females again, are gene- 

 rally gregarious, several litters joining company, 

 and making excursions together. The young grow 

 for several years, and remain with the mother and 

 the herd, until they have attained their maturity. 



* Oriental Field Sports, i. p. 80. 



