SOO UNGULATA. 



even young rabbits are likewise favorite food. Acorns, chestnuts, and 

 beech-nuts constitute a large portion of their vegetable diet. They often 

 lay waste fields of potatoes, maize, and other grain. A whole crop is 

 sometimes destroyed by these animals in a single night. When they root 

 up the soil in search of their food, they invariably proceed in a straight 

 line ; and as the furrows which they make are as broad as their heads, 

 experienced sportsmen can thus tell the size of the animal whose track 

 they are following. 



In Germany and France the chase of the Wild Boar occupies a 

 prominent position in the list of field sports, but it is occasionally danger- 

 ous sport. This savage animal is not alarmed by the pursuit and the 

 barking of dogs ; but the sound of horns, the cries of the sportsmen, and 

 the report of guns terrify it. It runs with a rapidity and a lightness 

 which surprise us when we consider its heavy, thickset figure. Its route 

 is invariably straight, and if any imprudent hunter does not get out of its 

 way, he is certain to be upset; but it will not turn from its course to 

 attack any one. If it is wounded, it changes its tactics, and rushes on all 

 within reach. When fatigue or loss of blood prevents its flight, it places 

 its back against a bush or tree, and makes a most vigorous resistance. 

 Those hounds which approach too closely are frequently ripped up. 

 But there is always found, in a well-trained pack, some intelligent and 

 knowing member, which keeps baying the game at a safe distance, 

 and confuses the boar with its ferocious barking until a favorable 

 moment occurs, when, with a bound, it seizes the game at its weak 

 point — the ear. The furious animal is then powerless, and is easily 

 slain by the hunter. It is considered, however, more sportsmanlike to 

 await the charge of the boar with the boar-spear in hand. The chase is 

 then a most exciting one, for the boar is a terrible antagonist, his charge 

 is made with lightning swiftness, and, together with his furious eyes and 

 lips dripping with foam, he is a sufficiently formidable foe to discon- 

 cert any one who is not possessed of good nerves and a steady hand. 

 The animal has an awkward habit of swerving suddenly from his course, 

 snapping at the spear-head and breaking it from the shaft. He also,- 

 when the hunter is on horseback, will charge at the horse instead of the 

 rider, and rising on his hind legs, in order to give the blow greater force, 

 will lay open the horse's flank and instantly disable it. 



The flesh of the Wild Boar is esteemed a great delicacy ; it is more 

 tender and savory, and less fat than that of the domestic animal. 



