Caspian Red Deer 217 



THE CASPIAN RED DEER 



[Ccrvi/s elaphiis ma ml) 



(Plate IV. Fig. i) 



Partly, no doubt, owing to the fact that the term " niaral " is applied 

 indiscriminately in Western and Central Asia to large deer of all kinds, 

 and partly to an apparent incapacity in many sportsmen to realise the 

 essential difference between the red deer and the wapiti type of antler, an 

 extraordinary amount ot contusion is prevalent as to the affinities of the 

 " ollen " or red deer ot Eastern Europe and South-Western Asia. In his 

 work entitled Hi/nting Trips hi the Caucasus Prince Demidoff makes the 

 following remarks on this subject : — 



" As to the classification of the Caucasian stag amongst his tellows ot 

 PJurope and Asia, as well as the difference between him and his American 

 cousin the wapiti, opinions differ. Although I have no doubt that both in 

 size of body and antlers he approaches the wapiti, nevertheless I think he 

 is more closely allied to the ordinary red deer, and especially to the Car- 

 pathian species. I quite agree with the statement that abundance of good 

 food makes a great difference in size, but one must not forget that the 

 climate and surroundings have their influence on his growth, and thus 

 give him his local character. Indeed, I am sure that, if closely examined, 

 one would find slight differences between the Kouban stag and that of the 

 Daghestan and Southern Caucasus, either in the predominance of cups on 

 the antlers, the colour of coat, or, to some extent, divergence of habit. 

 But there seems no reason to separate them as distinct species." 



Allowing for a certain lack of preciseness in connection with the use of 

 the term species at the end of the second sentence, this statement shows a 



very clear appreciation ot the real state of the case. The maral of Persia 



2 F 



