THE ZooLocist—Makcu, 1875. 4351 
smallest portion of which is supposed by them to increase the 
strength and bravery of the eater. 
The Porcupine (Hystrix cristatus)—This curious animal is too 
well known to need any description. It is common in many parts 
of South Africa. One of the most remarkable peculiarities of this 
beast is the rattle which it possesses in lieu of a tail: this is com- 
posed of hollow quills, varying from an inch to three inches in 
length, which the porcupine shakes when roused, making a loud 
noise. Travelling along the open feldt by night, your horse is 
sometimes startled and rendered unmanageable by the sudden 
sound of the extraordinary rattle under its very feet. It is sup- 
posed by some that the power of producing this sound is given to 
the porcupine in place of a voice to call its mate: this is probably 
the case, as it seems to be able to emit no other sound, but that of 
a low grunt. This animal, although well able to burrow its own 
home, seems to live principally in the deserted holes of the ant- 
bear [? Orycteropus capensis—Ed.]. It travels a long way in 
search of food, living on a variety of roots that grow in the bush; 
it also does considerable damage to gardens in its vicinity. The 
flesh of the porcupine is good eating—not unlike young pork. 
Although not swift of foot, it is not often caught, as few dogs will 
attack it, experience having taught them the formidable nature of 
its quills. There is no doubt a considerable amount of power in 
these quills, as the wounds they inflict are very painful and apt to 
inflame. In the spring of 1872 we obtained a porcupine about a 
month old: it had been caught in a string noose, and we have kept 
itin confinement ever since. It has grown into a fine animal, about 
four feet long, and when its quills are erected it stands fully two 
feet high. For some time we kept it chained with a collar round its 
neck; but it seems to be more comfortable in its new house, which 
we were obliged to surround with zinc to prevent it from eating its 
way out, as it can gnaw through the hardest wood with astonishing 
rapidity. It is an extremely tame animal, and will take food from 
the hand. We feed it chiefly on sweet potatoes and maize, but it 
will eat most of the vegetables in the garden. It is quite a mistake 
to suppose that the porcupine has the power of shooting off its 
quills at will: it cannot do this, but when angry it often shakes its 
loose quills, and by running against the object which has irritated 
it, sometimes leaves them sticking there. 
The Bald or Sea Eagle (Haliaétus vocifer).—This noble bird 
