130 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



The Axis Deer has been introduced into some of our English 

 parks, and it is most interesting to notice that whereas in a wild 

 state the young are not born until October, the acclimatized beasts 

 produce their young in June, thus affording an apt example of 

 change of front according to circumstances and the environment 

 frequented. It is obvious that fawns born in England in chill 

 October would stand less chance of survival than in leafy June. 



BARASINGHA, OR SWAMP DEER.— The Barasingha, or Swamp 

 Deer (Fig. 97), is also an Indian animal. It resorts to the outskirts 

 of woods, open forests and grass-lands in the neighbourhood of 

 trees. Although closely related to the handsome Sambar Deer, the 

 Barasingha is not nearly so nocturnal in its habits. It is gregarious 

 during Winter, travelling about in herds of from thirty to fifty 

 individuals. 



The name of Barasingha indicates the distinctive character of 

 this Deer, meaning "twelve-tined," the antlers, unlike those of most 

 other Indian Deer, having more than three tines. The buck stands 

 from three feet eight inches to three feet ten inches high at the 

 withers, and large specimens have been known to turn the scale 

 at anything between thirty-two and forty stones. 



ELFS DEER.— The Panolia, or Eld's Deer (Fig. 98), inhabits 

 India, the Malay Peninsula, Cambodia, and the Island of Hainan. 

 The distinguishing feature is the curious downward and then up- 

 ward sweep of the horns. It is about the same size as the species 

 last under review; the coat is dark in Winter with pale-brown below, 

 and fawn-coloured in Summer with white underneath. 



Eld's Deer appears to frequent similar haunts to the Barasingha, 

 but seems to prefer an open plain often far from water. In the 

 swamps it procures wild rice and other plants. A short, barking 

 grunt is uttered by the hind, whilst the stag gives vent to a more 

 lengthy call of a similar kind. 



MUNTJAC, OR BARKING DEER.— Fig. 99 illustrates an albino 

 Muntjac, or Barking Deer, an elegant little species which is found 

 in India, Burma, the Malay Peninsula and elsewhere. The Barking 

 Deer is so called because of its peculiar cry, and of the fine species 

 included in the Muntjac group it is the most familiar. 



This is a beautiful creature, the dark-reddish fawn-coloured hair 

 being close and shiny; it has slim limbs, diminutive and simple 

 antlers and large, brilliant eyes. It is a dweller upon the hills, is 

 very agile and swift-footed, and is no mean antagonist when closely 



