SOUTH AMERICAN WILD DOGS. 553 



common in South America, some of which are so swift as to elude the attacks of 

 domestic dogs, although they fall a ready prey to the maned wolf. Its diet is, 

 however, varied by birds, reptiles, insects, and even fruits ; while it will sometimes 

 attack deer, and more rarely sheep. Owing to its nocturnal habits the maned 

 wolf is rarely seen in inhabited districts, but it appeal's that in regions remote 

 from human habitations it is less cautious in its habits and will issue forth during 

 the day-time. 



OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN SPECIES (Canis azarce, etc.). 



The comparatively small and fox -like species known as Azara's 

 dog (C. azarce), is the best known of several South American species 

 in regard to the nomenclature of which there has been much confusion. This dog 

 differs from ail the species yet noticed by its fox-like appearance, this being 

 especially shown by its long body, short legs, large ears, and long bushy tail. If, 

 however, we were to assume from this that the creature was nearly related to the 

 European fox, we should be in error, since it has a skull agreeing with those of the 

 wolves and jackals, and quite unlike those of the true foxes, which are unknown 

 in South America. This species is found from Brazil to Tierra del Fuego, and also 

 on the western side of the Andes in Chili and elsewhere. It is true, indeed, that 

 there is great variation in the colour of specimens from different regions, on which 

 account a number of nominal species have been determined; but these are all 

 regarded by Professor Mivart as local races of one species. It likewise appears 

 that there is a considerable amount of seasonal variation in the colour and length 

 of the fur in the same individuals ; the hairs being longer and greyer in winter 

 than in summer, while those on the back tend to blackness, and those on the face 

 to a greyish brown instead of a yellowish grey tint during the former season. 



In the average form the colour of the sides of the body is grey, while the 

 longer hairs of the back are black-and-white, with black patches on the shoulders, 

 the middle of the body and the rump ; the limbs being fulvous externally, and of 

 a pale yellowish tint internally. The under-parts of the body and the inner sides 

 of the thighs are whitish. There is also some white on the upper lip, and on the 

 chest, as well as on the inner sides of the ears ; the outer sides of the latter being 

 yellowish, with black tips. The tail, like the back, is mottled with black-and-white 

 throughout the greater part of its length, but the end is black. White specimens 

 have occasionally been observed. 



Mr. W. H. Hudson speaks of Azara's dog as being purely fox-like in its habits, 

 and common everywhere in Argentina, where it inhabits the open Pampas. In 

 Paraguay, on the other hand, according to Rengger, it dwells in jungle-clad 

 districts, from which during the night it roams on the one side into the dense 

 forests, and on the other into the open country. Its main food consists of small 

 mammals and birds, but it will not refuse lizards; and it displays a marked 

 partiality for sugar-cane, doing great damage, by the number of canes it destroys 

 without eating them. In hunting, this dog runs with its nose close to the ground, 

 after the manner of a foxhound, but will at times raise its head to the wind. For 

 the greater part of the year Azara's dog is a solitary animal, but during the winter 



