HAUNTS AND HABITS OF THE FAUNA. 419 



These are the mammifers which are known to exist in Trinidad. 

 Of several of them there are varieties : for instance, two agoutis, 

 distinguishable by their colour, one being much darker than the 

 other, and, perhaps, smaller in size ; two lapos, likewise differing 

 in colour, one being fawn, and the other brown coloured ; the for- 

 mer also with whitish feet, and of a larger size. There are, again, 

 two varieties or even species of the guazoupita, one larger, of a 

 darker colour, with antlers covered with a soft skin, and having 

 habits somewhat dissimilar from those of the more common kind ; 

 it is apparently more solitary, and when chased by dogs, starts 

 off at once in a straightforward direction ; albinos are not rare 

 among the guazoupitas. 



The habits, aliment, and resorts of these mammifers are varied. 

 The opossum, agouti, and deer seem to prefer the neighbourhood 

 of plantations where they find an abundance of food viz., the 

 opossum, fruits, and fowls ; the agouti, fruits, and roots ; and the 

 deer, maize, peas, manioc, &c. In the same localities are also 

 met squirrels, lapos, and tatous; the squirrel chiefly infesting 

 cacao plantations, in which it sometimes commits great ravages. 

 The pecari is always found in the high forests, where it feeds 

 upon roots, fruits, leaves, and even upon snakes and reptiles. 

 The tiger-cat, taira, great and small ant eaters, and the tatou, 

 also haunt the high woods the latter preferring generally, low and 

 soft ground, where it can grub in search of worms which form its 

 principal food. The racoon does not venture out of the mangrove 

 swamps, as it there finds an inexhaustible supply of crabs. The 

 otter is found in ravines, where it can easily seize the fish upon 

 which it preys. Both the howling and weeping monkeys shun the 

 presence of man ; the latter may be said to abound principally in 

 the south-eastern part of the island, whilst the former is often 

 heard in Cimaronero, and the northern mountains at Carenage 

 and Diego-Martin. The echymys is met in the vicinity of cacao 

 plantations and provision grounds. The whale frequents the 

 gulf from January to May, and as far as I am aware, the manati 

 has been seen only in the Guataro, which it ascends for a certain 

 distance in search of food. 



The aguti, pecari, racoon, and monkeys, are accustomed to 

 seek their sustenance during the day, and particularly in the 

 morning and towards evening. The deer, lapo, cachicame, 

 tiger-cat, and great ant-eater, roam about during the night, 



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