282 WART-HOG'S NATIVE HAUNTS. 



succeeds in placing the hunter's Hfe in jeopardy and ripping up his horse 

 with its long tusks, leaving him to choose between continuing the fight on foot 

 or seeking his salvation in a sudden flight. 



The flesh of this animal is as delicious and tender as that of our tame hogs 

 and it is often hunted to supply the tables of the African farmers with one 

 of its most savory and tempting dishes. After having secured a few boars 

 as specimens for the National Museum, Mr. Roosevelt killed no more wart- 

 hogs, except when it was necessary to get some fresh meat for his native 

 servants. 



Travelers in East Africa have many stories to tell about the fury and 

 savage ferocity of this beast. It never attacks man unless in self-defense, 

 but when pursued and brought at bay it shows an ugly disposition and fights 

 bravely for its life. It is no coward and very seldom takes refuge to its under- 

 ground caves when persecuted by native hunters, or other wild animals. 



The wart-hog is an interesting animal, and while still very numerous in 

 Africa it is probably doomed to extinction, as it is constantly retiring before 

 the advancing civilization and cannot be domesticated. The following facts 

 as to its nature and habits will no doubt deserve our readers' attention : 



I do not know of any uglier animal than the wart-hog, with its huge 

 tusks, big warty protuberances below the eyes and fierce-looking bristly mane. 

 They are found over a large part of Eastern Africa, and are dangerous animals 

 to come upon unawares. 



In Abyssinia, its habits are very similar to those of ordinary pigs. It 

 lives amongst bushes or in ravines during the day, and comes out tO' feed in 

 the evening, still keeping much tO' bush-jungle. The large males are usually 

 solitary ; the younger animals and females live in small herds, apparently not 

 exceeding eight or ten in number. I never saw large "sounders," such as 

 are so commonly met with in the case of the Indian hog. It feeds much on 

 roots, which it digs up by means of its huge tusks. It also appears to dig 

 large holes, in which it occasionally lies; these are perhaps intended for the 

 young. Despite its formidable appearance, the Abyssinian wart-hog is a 

 comparatively timid animal, far inferior in courage to the Indian wild hog. 

 Several which I wounded showed no^ inclination tO' charge under circumstances 

 in which an Indian pig would certainly have shown fight. The flesh is savory, 

 but dry and hard, even in comparatively young animals. 



When brought to- bay by dogs, wart-hogs make a determined stand, and 

 inflict severe injuries on their assailants. If excited, they carry their long 

 tails stuck straight upright. 



