Game Animals of India, etc. 



European red deer. The antlers are usually five-tined, 

 with the brow-tine (which is often shorter than the bez) 

 generally starting at some distance above the burr. 

 The fourth and fifth tines, which are often approxi- 

 mately equal, form a terminal fork, which is placed 

 somewhat obliquely to the long axis of the head. The 

 antlers are rounded throughout, and also bowed out- 

 wards at first and then inwards, so that the fifth tines 

 of opposite sides are inclined towards one another. 

 The legs are thicker than in the red deer, with the tuft 

 of the metatarsal gland larger, coarser, and placed 

 somewhat lower down. In height a full-grown stag 

 stands from 4 feet to 4 feet 4 inches at the withers. 

 The tail is relatively short, and the light rump-patch, 

 which is nearly white, is small, and does not extend 

 on to the upper surface of the buttocks, thus excluding 

 the tail. In winter the general colour varies from 

 brown to liver -colour, the individual hairs being 

 speckled ; the light area on the inner sides of the 

 buttocks is dirty white, with a dark line on its outer 

 border, which runs down the inner side of the thigh, 

 and stands out in contrast to the general body-colour. 

 The flanks and limbs are somewhat paler than the 

 back ; the upper surface of the^ail is black ; and the 

 lips and chin are white, and the inner surfaces of the 

 ears whitish. In the summer coat the general colour 

 is lighter and more rufous, with most of the under- 

 parts whitish, although posteriorly brown in stags. At 

 this season hinds, and sometimes also stags, show traces 

 of spotting on the flanks and back. The fringe of 

 elongated hair on the throat is comparatively short, and 

 not markedly darker than the rest of the coat. The 

 light spots of the fawns are stated to be retained till the 

 third or fourth year. The cry of the stags in the pairing- 

 season is a prolonged squeal, unlike that of the reci 

 deer, but approximating to that of the wapiti. In the 

 whiteness of the light rump-patch and its dark-coloured 

 edging the hangul departs from the red-deer type to 



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