Marsh-Deer 363 



THE MARSH-DEER 



{Mazama \Blastoceros\ dichotoma') 

 (Plate VH. Fig. 7) 



The marsh-deer, which must not^ on account of the similarity of its 

 name, be confounded with the Indian swamp-deer, is one of two South 

 American species which differ from the members of the preceding group 

 by the want of a sub-basal snag to the antlers, the constant absence of the 

 metatarsal gland and tuft from the outer side of the lower portion of the 

 hind-leg, and the reversal of the direction of the hair on the withers, 

 which points forwards instead of backwards. In both species the tail is 

 relatively short. 



The marsh-deer is by tar the larger animal of the two, approaching 

 the size ot a rather small red deer. It is of a light and graceful build, 

 with a remarkably long and slender muzzle, and rather large and pointed 

 ears. Apart from its being the largest living South American deer, and 

 without taking into consideration the characters of its antlers, it is a 

 species easily recognised by its striking coloration, which in the summer 

 coat is bright rufous chestnut on the upper-parts, with a band round the 

 muzzle and the legs from the knees and hocks downwards black. The 

 under surface of the tail is likewise black, as is also the hair covering the 

 tarsal gland on the inner side of the hock. Above the black band on the 

 muzzle is a white band, and there is also white above or all round 

 the eyes, as well as on part of the sides of the face ; while the ears are 

 almost filled internally with soft white hair. At all times of year the 

 coat is rough and long, but it is especially so in winter, when the general 

 colour of the hair on the upper-parts changes to brownish red. 



The antlers divide in a regular dichotomous manner a short distance 



