IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 125 



Breeding. — The agoutis and guinea pigs are prolific animals and 

 have several broods during a year. The former have on several occasions 

 been known to eat up their young. 



Transport. — Agoutis are given to gnawing, especially if the travel- 

 ling cage be built of soft wood. 



Observations on their habits. 



The viscacha is a very lazy animal, and awkward in its movements. 

 Those exhibited here were not shy, but approached anybody and sniffed 

 at everything ; they slept much during the day. The spotted cavy is 

 also a nocturnal animal, and is therefore found sleeping almost the 

 whole day. It is, however, more active than the viscacha. An opportunity 

 having once been given to a Paca or spotted Cavy to burrow, it made a 

 hole about 6 feet deep. Agoutis are unsociable animals, and of rather 

 solitary habits, though generally quiet and unobtrusive; they are quick 

 in their movements and capable of inflicting severe teeth wounds on 

 assailants. These animals have been repeatedly observed to stow away 

 food, mostly ship biscuits, under the sand or straw bedding of their 

 cage, stamping the ground above several times with their hind legs 

 probably to make sure that the property is well and securely buried. 

 They are cleanly animals, and spend much time, especially after each 

 meal, in cleaning their lips and faces with their fore paws. The guinea 

 pigs are restless, active, inquisitive and squeaking animals, always 

 fighting among themselves, especially if there be odd males, or weak 

 and sickly animals. They are nevertheless sociable creatures and like 

 to live in company. 



(159) THE CAPYBAEA. 

 (HYDEOCHCERUS CAPYBAEA— Erxl.) 



Description.— Length nearly 4 feet; height at the shoulders 

 about 20 inches ; stout and massive ; head large ; muzzle broad, eyes and 

 ears small; no tail; feet webbed; coat of coarse hair, of moderate 

 length, and of reddish brown colour. 



Hab. — The eastern part of South America. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Living since April 1884. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — A large open and shady enclosure with a tank is by far 

 the best accommodation for this animal. Here it can indulge in its 

 favourite habits of swimming and wallowing as much as it likes, while 

 the grassy lawn affords it pasturage. The wall or fencing of the 

 enclosure should be at least 5 feet high, as it has been found capable of 

 clearing a wall more than 3 feet high. Economy of space, however, 

 is always a consideration in finding accommodation for animals, and if 



