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 
