i 7 8 



RODENTS. 



Habits. 



The habits of the common paca appear to be very similar to those 

 of agutis ; these animals going about either singly or in pairs, and 

 being strictly nocturnal. Their resting-place during the day is either some cavity 

 among the roots of a forest-tree, or a burrow excavated by their own exertions, 

 and reaching to a depth of from four to five feet. Their food is precisely similar 

 to that eaten by the agutis. In disposition they are shy and timid ; and when 

 pursued they invariably make for the water, in which they swim well and 

 with considerable rapidity. During the summer the female produces a single 



^V^v^o 





THE paca (} nat. size). 



(occasionally two) offspring, which is believed by the natives to remain in the 

 burrow during the period of suckling — several months in duration. The Ecuador 

 paca is said to be not uncommon in the forests on both sides of the Andes. It 

 makes a bui-row with two entrances, in which a male and female take up their 

 residence. The natives, who hunt these animals for the sake of their flesh, pursue 

 them in the forests with dogs, and then drive them out from their burrows by 

 lighting a fire at one of the entrances. 



A tame individual of the common species noticed by Rengger was at first very 

 shy and suspicious, biting fiercely at the hands of any person approaching it. 

 During the day it endeavoured to conceal itself as much as possible, but at night it 



