MAMMALIA. 27 



at full speed, although their distance was so great that they could not be dis- 

 tinguished by the naked eye. 



" The sportsman frequently receives the first intimation of their presence, by 

 hearing from a long distance their peculiar shrill neighing note of alarm. If he 

 then looks attentively, he will, perhaps, see the herd standing in a line on the side 

 of some distant hill. On approaching, a few more squeals are given, and then off 

 they set, at an apparently slow but really quick canter, along some narrow beaten 

 track to a neighbouring hill. If, however, by chance he should abruptly meet a 

 single animal, or several together, they will generally stand motionless, and 

 intently gaze at him ;— then, perhaps, move on a few yards, turn round, and look 

 again. What is the cause of this difference in their shiness ? Do they mistake 

 a man in the distance for their chief enemy the puma ? Or does curiosity over- 

 come their timidity ? That they are curious is certain, for if a person lies on the 

 ground, and plays strange antics, such as throwing up his feet in the air, they 

 will almost always approach by degrees to reconnoitre him. It is an artifice that 

 was repeatedly practised with success by the sportsman of the Beagle, and it 

 had moreover the advantage of allowing several shots to be fired, which were all 

 taken as parts of the performance. On the mountains of Tierra del Fuego, 

 and in other places, I have more than once seen a Guanaco on being approached, 

 not only neigh and squeal, but prance and leap about in the most ridiculous 

 manner, apparently in defiance, as a challenge. These animals are very easily 

 domesticated, and I have seen some in this state near the houses in northern 

 Patagonia, although at large on their native plains. They are, when thus kept, very 

 bold, and readily attack a man, by striking him from behind with both knees. 

 It is asserted, that the motive for these attacks is jealousy on account of their 

 females. The wild Guanacoes, however, have no idea of defence ; and even a 

 single dog will secure one of these large animals, till the huntsman can come up. 

 In many of their habits they are like sheep in a flock. Thus when they see 

 men approaching in several directions on horseback, they soon become be- 

 wildered, and know not which way to run. This circumstance greatly facilitates 

 the Indian method of hunting, for they are thus easily driven to a central point, 

 and are encompassed. 



"The Guanacoes readily take to the water; several times at Port Valdes 

 they were seen swimming from island to island. Byron, in his voyage, says 

 he saw them drinking salt water. Some of our officers likewise saw a herd 

 apparently drinking the briny fluid from a Salina near Cape Blanco ; and in 

 several parts of the country, if they do not drink salt water, I believe they drink 

 none at all. In the middle of the day, they frequently roll in the dust, in saucer- 

 shaped hollows. The males often fight together ; one day two passed quite close 

 to me, squealing and trying to bite each other ; and several were shot with their 



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