EAST INDIAN DEER. 343 



knife-handles ; 424 tons weight were sold in London in 

 1891, and realized 20s. to 260s. per cwt. The horns 

 are sorted into large, medium size, small, and very 

 small, these latter commanding the highest price. 



FALLOW DEER. 



Dama vuhjaris. 

 French : Daim. German : Dammhirsch. 



This Deer is probably better known to the general 

 public than any other Deer, and is seen in many parks 

 in this country, where it is a general favourite, on 

 account of its small size and docility. The Fallow Deer 

 is found in the greater part of Europe, but it is not in- 

 digenous to the country. The dark-coloured variety is 

 said to have been introduced by James I. from Norway; 

 by others it is asserted to have been imported long 

 before that date, perhaps by the Eomans. 



The usual colour of this Deer is light brown, spotted 

 with white ; the tail is black and tipped and edged with 

 white; the inside of the legs is of a beautiful fawn 

 colour, and the ears are light brown. In the dark 

 variety the colour verges on black ; the legs and points 

 are brown, and the tail is black. It seems altogether 

 to be a larger and heavier animal than the spotted 

 variety ; the head is short and well formed, the nose is 

 full and round, and the eyes are dark and expressive. 

 Pure white animals are not uncommon. 



The horns are rather palmated at the top, with a few 

 rugged points, which are usually turned backwards ; the 

 brow and tray antlers are well developed. The horns 

 fall off in April, sometimes a little later. In July and 



