214 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



captivity it is well known, and thrives admirably, frequently producing 

 young; and, although coming from so warm a climate, will bear the 

 English winter well out-of-doors, and take to water in any weather. 



THE PATAGONIAN CAVY 



{Dolichotis patachonica) 



THE Patagonian Cavy, or Mara, is a large animal for one of its family, 

 though not to be compared with the Capybara for size ; still, it is a 

 good deal larger than the common Hare. It is high on the legs, with 

 small feet ; the ears are rather large, and the tail a mere tubercle. 

 The coat is thick, except upon the slender legs, and of a grizzly 

 brown colour, the short close fur on the limbs being light chestnut. 



The Mara is a characteristic animal of the dry open lands of 

 Patagonia and La Plata, where it takes the place of such animals as 

 the Hare, and is seen abroad by day. Usually two or three are seen 

 together ; although they sit up like Hares at times, they walk along in 

 the ordinary way, not hopping. They are swift runners, and also 

 adepts at burrowing, a combination not often found ; but they are 

 said to be willing to save themselves the trouble of making their own 

 burrows by using those of the Vizcacha, wherever possible. 



Maras have two young at a birth ; they do well in captivity, and 

 breed in that condition, being established in one or two English parks. 

 There is another species of Mara (Dolichotis salinicold) which frequents 

 saline plains, and in size and colour bears much the same relation 

 to the Patagonian kind that the Rabbit does to the Hare, being much 

 smaller and of a dull grey colour. 



THE GUINEA-PIG j 



(Cavia porcellus) 



THE Guinea-Pig is a typical example of the ordinary Cavies, which 

 are all small, timid, insignificant little creatures, tailless and short-legged, 

 living among rocks or herbage. All of them are South American, as 

 indeed are all the present family. The Common Guinea-Pig was 

 found already in a domesticated state, used as an article of food, and 



