and their whiskers long and rigid. They swim and dive remarkably well, and run with considerable swiftness. Their cry is not unlike that of a pig. Their flesh is said to be very savory, and forms a staple article of food in many parts of South America. They seldom leave their burrows, except during the night, when they sally forth in search of their food, which consists of herbs and fruit. They are taken alive by closing two of the openings to their burrows, and digging up the third. They often make an obstinate defence, and are capable of biting very severely. They are readily tamed, and might prove a valuable addition to our stock of domestic animals, especially in the Southern States, where the winter is not sufficiently severe to injure them. They are very prolific, and, in a warm climate, would require but little attention. PARTRIDGE (perdix). The partridges were formerly classed with the grouse (q.v.),in the genus tetrao,till they were formed into a separate genus by Brisson, since which they have been still further divided into subgenera by Temminck, Cuvier, &c. These are, 1. francolinus, having a long, strong beak, large tail, and generally strong spurs: 2. perdix; the beak less powerful; males with short spurs or simple tubercles; females destitute of these defences: 3. coturnix; sinaller than perdix; beak small, tail short, no spur, and destitute of the red eye-lid: 4. ortyx; beak thick and short; tail more developed. The gray or English partridge (P. cinereus) belongs to the second of these subgenera. It is distinguished by having the bill and feet of a light brown color, the head fawn color, and the plumage brown and ashcolored, mixed with black: the male has a deep-brown crescent on his breast. This species is found in all the temperate parts of Europe, and is very abundant in England. They pair early in the spring, and the female lays from fourteen to twenty eggs, in a nest composed of dry leaves and grass. The young can run about as soon as they are excluded from the egg. The affection of the partridge for her young is very strong, and in taking care of them, she is assisted by the male. They frequently sit close to each other, covering the young with their wings, and, when in this situation, are not easily roused. The principal food of the young partridges are ant-eggs and insects; but, when full grown, they feed on all kinds of grain. The red or French partridge (P. rufus) also belongs to this subdivision. It is larger than the last-mentioned species, has red feet and beak, is brown above, and its sides are beautifully variegated with ferruginous and ash-color; the neck is white, with a black margin. The red partridge lives on higher grounds than the gray, preferring hills. The flesh is whiter and less juicy. There are many other species inhabiting Europe and Asia which it is needless to particularize. Those belonging to the other two subgenera are known under the name of quails, though, in Pennsylvania, and some other states, the American species is also termed partridge. (See Quail.) The above-mentioned birds form an important part of what is denominated game among the modern nations of Europe, the killing of which has been made the subject of public regulations. (See Game Laws.) PECCARY (dicotyles). The peccaries bear a strong resemblance to the hog, but are sufficiently dissimilar to justify their separation as a distinct genus. The most striking difference between them, and every other species of quadruped, is the existence of a large gland under the skin on the middle of the loins. This gland secretes a fluid of a very offensive smell. In their habits, however, they are closely allied to the hog: their gait is the same; they root up the earth in a similar manner, and express their feelings by the same disagreeable grunt. They are equally susceptible of domestication; but, from the fetid smell emitted by the gland on their back, they have never been tamed to any extent. Their flesh, also, is much inferior to pork in flavor. They are peculiar to South America, living in the extensive forests of that country, in hollows of trees, or in burrows made by other animals. There are only two species-the collared peccary (D. torquatus), and the white-lipped peccary (D. labiatus). These differ more in habits than they do in appearance: the former is the smaller, and lives in pairs, or in small herds, never migrating. The latter assemble in large herds, sometimes amounting, it is said, to more than a thousand individuals. These herds traverse extensive districts, never turning from their line of march for any obstacle. If attacked, they fight with great fury, and the only escape for a huntsman, under such circumstances, is in ascending a tree. The smaller bands are not as dangerous, generally taking to flight on the first attack. When irritated, they erect their bristles, rub their snouts together, and make a continued grunting. The secretion from the gland in this spe cies is not as fetid as in the other. |