118 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



the white spots are in the coats of Deer fawns. In some localities 

 brown Wild Swine have been observed, and there is a good deal of 

 variation in size and form, the Boar of the rich lands of Bengal, where 

 the feeding is good, being heavier in build than the Punjab Pig, 

 which has to travel farther for his meals. 



Wild Swine are widely spread through India, Ceylon, and Burma, 

 in the hills and plains alike ; they are fond of cover, and often make 

 shelters for themselves by cutting quantities of grass, and then 

 burrowing under the pile. Such shelters are used especially by Sows 

 with litters, but also sometimes by old Boars, which generally live by 

 themselves, while the Sows and young animals go in " sounders " or 

 herds. 



Wild Swine generally feed at night, and are practically omnivorous ; 

 they root like tame Pigs for their food, but much more energetically, 

 and are terribly destructive to crops. They like frequenting marshy 

 land, where they can dig up roots in the soft soil, and they will also 

 root for those fish which in India bury themselves in mud when the 

 water dries up in the hot season. Carrion occasionally forms part of 

 their food, but they are not usually ranked as foul feeders. They 

 gladly devour, of course, any wild fruit they can get. 



Like their tame relatives, they are prolific animals, having several 

 young in a litter, and breeding more than once a year. Many are 

 killed by Tigers, Leopards, and no doubt other carnivora ; but the 

 Sow fiercely defends her litter, and the "grim grey Boar" is an 

 adversary that even the Tiger prefers to leave alone as a rule. 

 Should he venture on an attack, he stands an excellent chance of 

 being fatally ripped before he can kill his victim, 



The great courage of the Boar makes " Pig-sticking," as the pursuit 

 of him is styled, with humorous modesty, in India, the finest and 

 most manly of field sports. Several riders engage in it together, and 

 for about a mile the pace is very great, for the Boar has a great 

 turn of speed for a short burst, and is also an active jumper, easily 

 clearing obstacles in awkward places where a Horse cannot get a good 

 "take-off" owing to his size. If, however, he finds his pursuers are 



