The Meminna Chevrotain 



deer " in Ceylon, " moose " being probably a corruption 

 of the Dutch word muis^ equivalent to mouse. He 

 likewise suggests that the title musk-deer, by which 

 these animals are also known, is traceable to the same 

 origin, but it seems more probable that it was given 

 from their superficial resemblance to the true musk- 

 deer. Sir Emerson Tennent mentions that in 1847 

 he saw in Ceylon a pure white chevrotain. 



In Central India the meminna usually takes up its 

 abode among jungly rocks, from which it never ventures 

 out into the open, and in the crevices of which it spends 

 the hot midday hours, and produces its young. Con- 

 sequently it is but seldom seen, and when encountered 

 at once makes for its rocky haven. The young, of 

 which there are generally couplets, are beautiful little 

 creatures, so delicate and fragile that they seem scarcely 

 fitted to endure the hardships of the world. They 

 are born towards the end of the rainy season, or the 

 commencement of the cool season ; the males consort 

 with their partners only during the pairing- season, 

 which takes place about June or July, spending the 

 rest of the year by themselves. Both sexes feed in 

 the evenings and early mornings, and the only sound 

 they are known to utter is a feeble bleat. 



As they carry no trophies worth talking about, 

 chevrotain offer little attraction to the sportsman. 

 They may be killed either with a shot-gun or the 

 rook-rifle. 



THE NAPU CHEVROTAIN 



{Tragulus napu) 



Native Name. — Napu^ Malay 



In common with its smaller Malay relative, the 

 napu, or larger Malay chevrotain, is distinguished 



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