120 



caused by the fact of the horns being elevated upon small pedestals 

 of bone, or as is elsewhere remarked, surmounting a fixed horn. 



" It has been observed by some naturalists, that we remain in 

 " uncertainty whether the muntjac sheds its horns once only, or 

 " yearly. If the former was the case, it would show a beautiful 

 " gradation of structure between the true deer with deciduous horns, 

 " and those animals where they rise from the bone of the forehead 

 " and are persistent." 



Jerdon says, page 265, that it is "easily stalked," but I beg leave 

 to differ with him in this respect, and record my corroboration of 

 HAWKHYE'S idea that it is "decidedly difficult to stalk in the open." 

 HAWKEYE'S description of the dainty and wary manner in which 

 in stepping, it lifts each leg above the grass or leaves and so moves 

 noiselessly is excellent, and like all his writing, evidently drawn 

 from the life and from personal observation. 



I have this morning (Neilgherries, 5th February 1 869) watched 

 with much interest the wary manoeuvres of a buck muntjac which 

 appeared in an open spot on a hill lower than the one where I sat 

 looking out for a samber stag. The little creature was out of shot, 

 and as far as I could judge in perfect safety, yet it is impossible for 

 me to describe the excessive caution with which he moved ; always 

 before shifting his position, watching most anxiously with eyes and 

 ears for the slightest sign of an enemy and again after apparently 

 in play, skipping a few paces, stopping and then stealing on timidly 

 and noiselessly. Suddenly he turned and fled for his very life to 

 the covert whence he came. The wind was from him to me, so 

 that I knew I was not the cause of alarm and for some time I could 

 not account for it. At last I remembered that my horse-keeper 

 had, nearly an hour before, led my pony across that hill-side. 

 The morning, in hunting parlance, was a bad scenting one, and 

 over that dry and open hill-side came a strong and keen nor-easterly 

 wind that should very soon have carried off all taint of man or pony, 

 yet the pretty little deer caught the faint scent that could have 

 remained with a rapidity marvellous to any one who has seen 

 hounds puzzled. 



Jerdon says at page 266, that the " tongue is very long and 

 k< extensile, and that the animal often licks its own face with it." 



