22 THE MANED WOLF. 



however, appear sometimes to pursue sheep*. An individual kept by 

 Azara was very fond of rats, small birds, sugar-cane, and oranges, yet it 

 never attempted to seize the domestic fowls, which from time to time 

 came within its reach, and it agreed well with other domestic animals. 

 In a wild state this Wolf devours pacas, agoutis, birds, reptiles, and even 

 some insects. It will also eat plants, and is especially fond of the fruit 

 of Solanum lycocarpum. It is said by Rengger to frequent the outskirts 

 of the forests in Paraguay, near water ; but it is also found amidst the 

 high grass of the plains, but being an exceedingly timid animal afraid 

 even of small dogs there is little opportunity of observing it save in 

 confinement. Except in uninhabited regions, it passes the day in cover, 

 sallying forth at night. The sexes approach each other in the autumn, 

 at which season their loud cry is most frequently heard. Its local 

 name " A-gua-a " is doubtless derived from the sound of this cry. 



One reared in captivity came to recognize its name, even when pro- 

 nounced by strangers, as also its master's voice. It avoided the light 

 of midday, and generally slept from ten in the morning till five in the 

 afternoon, and also for a time after midnight. 



It will breed with the domestic dog, and the mongrel so produced is 

 said by Dr. Lund to be an excellent animal for the chase. The female 

 brings forth three or four young in the month of August. 



The species seems to have been first made known, under the name of 

 " Aguaria," by M. Dobritzhofer (' Geschichte der Abiponer,' i. p. 404 : 

 Vienna, 1783), and to have been first brought alive to Europe in 

 1877, when it was exhibited in the Gardens of the Zoological Society 

 of London. 



The animal represented in our Plate VII. is one the skin of which 

 is preserved in our National Collection, and which came from the 

 Zoological Society after having lived some time in that Society's 

 Gardens. 



The body is clothed with long hairs, which are predominantly of a 

 light yellowish reddish tinge. A median longitudinal patch from the 

 nape of the neck backwards over the shoulders is black, as is also most 



* According to Hensel, loc. cit. p. 77. 



