iS33. HABITS OF THE GUANACO. 171 



a line on the side of some distant hill. On approaching 

 nearer, a few more squeals are given, and off they set at 

 an apparently slow, but really quick canter, along some 

 narrow beaten track to a neighbouring hill. If, however, 

 by chance he abruptly meets a single animal, or several 

 together, they will generally stand motionless and intently 

 gaze at him ; then perhaps move on a few yards, turn 

 round, and look again. What is the cause of this difference 

 in their shyness ? Do they mistake a man in the distance 

 for their chief enemy the puma ? Or does curiosity over- 

 come their timidity ? That they are curious is certain ; for 

 if a person lies on the ground, and plays strange antics, 

 such as throwing up his feet in the air, they will almost 

 always approach by degrees to reconnoitre him. It was an 

 artifice repeatedly practised by our sportsmen with success, 

 and it had moreover the advantage of allowing several shots 

 to be fired, which were all taken as part of the performance. 

 On the mountains of Tierra del Fuego, I have more than 

 once seen a guanaco, on being approached, not only neigh 

 and squeal, but prance and leap about in the most ridiculous 

 manner, apparently in defiance as a challenge. These 

 animals are very easily domesticated, and I have seen some 

 thus kept in northern Patagonia near a house, though not 

 under any restraint. They are in this state very bold, and 

 readily attack a man by striking him from behind with both 

 knees. It is asserted that the motive for these attacks is 

 jealousy on account of their females. The wild guanacos, 

 however, have no idea of defence ; even a single dog will 

 secure one of these large animals, till the huntsman can 

 come up. In many of their habits they are like sheep in a 

 flock. Thus when they see men approaching in several 

 directions on horseback, they soon become bewildered, and 

 know not which way to run. This greatly facilitates the 

 I ndian method of hunting, for they are thus easily driven to 

 a central point, and are encompassed. 



The guanacos readily take to the water : several times at 

 fort Valdes they were seen swimming from island to 

 island. Byron, in his voyage, says he saw them drinking 

 salt water. Some of our officers likewise saw a herd 

 apparently drinking the briny fluid from a salina near Cape 

 IJIanco. I imagine in several parts of the country, if they 

 flo not drink salt water, they drink none at all. In the 

 middle of the day they frequently roll in the dust, in sauc^'- 

 shaped hollows. The males fight together; two one t. 



