COLLARED PECCARY. 237 



ter, they form themselves into a circle, surrounding and protecting their 

 young, repelling their opponents with their sharp teeth, and in this man- 

 ner sometimes routing the larger predatory animals, or severely wound- 

 ing the dogs and the hunters. 



When angry they gnash their teeth, raise their bristles, (which at such 

 time resemble the quills of the porcupine,) and their sharp, shrill grunt 

 can be heard at a great distance. 



This species feeds on fruits, seeds, and roots ; and like the domesticated 

 hog is constantly rooting in the earth in quest of worms, insects, reptiles, 

 or bulbous roots. It is said also to devom- the eggs of alligators, turtles, 

 and birds ; and to be destructive to lizards, toads, and snakes. In fact, 

 like the common hog it is omnivorous, feeds upon every thing that 

 comes in its way, and is not particularly choice in the selection of its 

 food. 



Mons. De la Borde (D'Azaka, Quad, du Paraguay, vol. i., p. 31,) relates 

 that " they are easily shot ; for instead of flying, they assemble together, 

 and often give the hunters an opportunity of charging and discharging 

 several times." He mentions " that he was one day employed, along 

 with several others, in hunting these animals, accompanied by a single 

 dog, which as soon as they appeared, took refuge between his master's 

 legs. For greater safety he with the other hunters stood on a rock. They 

 were nevertheless surrounded by the herd of hogs. A constant fire was 

 kept up, but the creatures did not retire till a great number of them were 

 slain." " These animals, however," he remarks, " fly after they have 

 been several times hunted. The yoimg, when taken in the chase, are 

 easily tamed, but they will not associate or mix with the domestic species. 

 In their natural state of liberty they frequent the marshes, and swim 

 across large rivers. Their flesh," says he, " has an excellent taste, but 

 is not so tender as that of the domestic hog ; it resembles the flesh of the 

 hare, and has neither lard nor grease." 



The same author also states that " when pursued they take refuge in 

 hollow trees, or in holes in the earth dug by the armadilloes. These 

 holes they enter backwards and remain in as long as they can. But when 

 highly irritated they instantly issue out in a body. In order to seize them 

 as they come out, the hole is inclosed with branches of trees ; one of the 

 hunters, armed with a pitchfork, stands above the hole to fix them by the 

 neck, while another forces them out, and kills them with a sabre." 



" When there is but one in a hole, and the hunter has not leisure to 

 seize it, he shuts up the entrance, and is sure of his game next day." 



All authors agree in stating that the dorsal glands of either the male 

 or female should be cut off instantly after the animal is killed, for their 



