Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] [Parson's Green.
ÆLIAN'S WART-HOG.
Displays the broad muzzle and huge tusks, which are nearly as large in the sows as in the boars.
The well-known Bush-pig of South Africa, the Bosch-vark of the Boers, is a fine species, having a wide range over much of the southern and south-eastern parts of the continent, extending as far north as Central Africa. In the Eastern Transvaal and Swaziland these animals attain their greatest size, an adult boar standing from 2 feet 4 inches to 2 feet 7 inches in height, and weighing as much as from 150 to 170 lbs. The usual colour is brownish red, the face and mane greyish; but in different specimens and at different ages great variations are to be noticed. Pale greyish brown or mottled brown are colours often to be found. These bush-pigs are formidable-looking creatures, with thick bristling manes, small deep-set eyes, and sharp if somewhat short tusks, which they know well how to use. Among the old-fashioned Boers cured hams from these animals were, when they were more plentiful in Cape Colony, often to be found in up-country farmhouses. The bosch-vark is a beast of shy, nocturnal habit, and, loving as it does the shade and protection of dense covert and bush, is, unless carefully sought for, not often seen by sportsmen. The herds range usually from half a dozen to as many as twenty in number. When once encountered and set up at bay, this wild swine will be found a most tough and courageous adversary, capable and willing to defend itself stoutly against all foes. "They are," says Mr. F. Vaughan Kirby, who has had much experience in hunting these animals, "expert swimmers and swift of foot, and can get over the roughest ground at a great pace. There is no pluckier beast in Africa than a bush-pig, and even a leopard will hesitate before attacking a full-grown boar. Like all wild creatures, they have an instinctive dread of man, and will always make their escape from him if possible; but if surrounded or wounded and brought to bay, they appear to accept the situation with stolid imperturbability, and die fighting with rare pluck, against all odds, grim and silent to the last.... Face to face in the middle of a 'fast' bush, and only a Swazi 'stabbing-assegai' with which to kill him, ... I have seen an old boar, after receiving nine thrusts from those terrible weapons, two of which were still fast in him, make a charge that scattered us like chaff, and in three consecutive lunges lame one of our number for life, and disembowel two of the finest 'pig-dogs' I ever hunted with. In such encounters a boar inflicts terrible wounds with his teeth, as well as with his tusks." Few men care to face a wart-hog on foot.
Another bush-pig is found in Madagascar, and is known as Edwards' Bush-pig. Its habits are very similar to those of its brethren in the neighbouring continent of Africa.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] [Parson's Green.
HEAD OF MALE WART-HOG.
Profile showing the large conical warty growths on the side of the face so characteristic of these animals.
The Babirusa.