222 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



Scotlami and Corsica. It is, however, very unlikely that this is really 

 the case. And it may be noticed that antlers from the Crimea frequently 

 display a great tendency to flattening, or palmation, in the region of the 

 crown — a feature which is likewise conspicuous in many specimens from 

 Asia Minor, as the writer had an opportunity ot observing not long ago 

 in a series of heads from that district sent home by Mr. H. O. Whittill, 

 of Smyrna, for mounting. The deer of Asia Minor, as may be seen trom 

 the form ot the head in a specimen figured by Mr. F. C. Selous in his 

 Spo)-t iJUil 'I'rtivc/, appear undoubtedly to belong to the Caspian race, and 

 on geographical grounds it would seem likely that those from the Crimea 

 should be referable to the same form. Before the exact affinity of the 

 red deer of the Eastern Carpathians and the Crimea can be definitely 

 decided, it is, however, necessary that entire skins should be available for 

 comparison. 



It may be added that antlers of old Crimean stags — perhaps in the 

 decadent stage — not untrequently lose all the tines between the brow and 

 the crown, antl tlie writer is under the impression that he has seen or 

 heard of similar antlers h'om Asia Minor. 



Apart from the antlers, satisfactory and easily recognised characters are 

 afforded by the form and coloration of the Caspian red deer, whereby it 

 may be distinguished from the typical western race of the species. In 

 England an excellent opportunity of realising the nature and value of 

 these points of difference has been afforded by a herd o'i Caspian deer from 

 the Caucasus and a sinijle sta"- from North Persia, which have for the last 

 few years been living in the Duke of Bedford's park at Woburn Abbey in 

 the near neighbourhood of the ordinary park red deer. 



These eastern representatives of the red deer are of very large size, 

 attaining a height of about 4,', feet at the withers ; and they are further 

 distinguished from the typical western race by the longer and more pointed 

 head, the thicker neck, and the stouter and sliorter build. The length of 



