322 A WILD-HOG HUNT IN TEXAS. 



caries in the almost treeless mountains of New Mexico. 

 The fact is, the peccary is a wide "ranger," and fre- 

 quents either plains or mountains, wherever he can find 

 the roots or fruits which constitute. his natural food. The 

 range he likes best appears to he the dry hilly woods, 

 where he finds several species of nuts to his taste such 

 as the chinquapin (castanea permila,) the pecan (Juglans 

 olivueformis,) and the acorns of several species of oak, 

 with which the half prairie country of western Texas 

 abounds. Further than to eat their fruit, the forest trees 

 are of no use to the peccary. He is not a climber, as he 

 is a hoofed animal. But in the absence of rocks, or cre- 

 vices in the cliffs, he makes his lair in the bottom of hol- 

 low trees, or in the great cavities so common in half 

 decayed logs. He prefers, however, a habitation among 

 rocks, as experience has no doubt taught him that it is a 

 safer retreat both from hunters and fire. 



The peccary is easily distinguished from the other 

 forest animals by his rounded, hog-like form and sharp 

 snout. Although pig-shape^, he is extremely active and 

 light in his movements. The absence of a tail for that 

 member is represented only by a very small protuberance 

 or " knob" imparts a character of lightness to his body. 

 His jaws are those of a hog, and a single pair of tusks, 

 protruding near the angles of the mouth, gives to him a 

 fierce and dangerous aspect. These are more certain to 



