208 
THE WILD BOAR. 
eye very full, with much display of the white when 
in action. The head short, thickly furnished with 
hair inclining to curl ; a very muscular neck ; a 
high shoulder ; the back very nearly straight ; the 
loins broad ; the bristles thick on the neck and 
shoulder. The tail rather short, and near the 
tips covered with lateral bristles, resembling the 
wings of an arrow.”* Plate XVIII. exhibits the 
female and young. 
In its wild state, in Europe, the Wild Boar 
frequents the most retired forests. He lives 
solitary, choosing some deep recess for his lair, 
near a convenient watering place, and having 
access to some glade or path, which conducts to 
the more open country. Hence he only sallies in 
the evening in search of food, which is chiefly 
vegetables, roots, or fruits ; but during the season of 
harvest very considerable damage is effected, not 
only to the grain crops, but also to the vineyards. 
It is only during the rutting season, that the native 
Hog is somewhat gregarious, and selects a female 
after an exhibition of his prowess against his rivals 
on the same errand. The females again, are gene- 
rally gregarious, several litters joining company, 
and making excursions together. The young grow 
for several years, and remain with the mother and 
the herd, until they have attained their maturity, 
Oriental Field Sports, i. p. 80. 
