286 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



deer, once they are shot at, 

 exhibit extraordinary wariness 

 and cunning, so much so that 

 curious tricks and disguises 

 have often to be resorted to 

 when a fat buck has to be 

 shot for venison. 



The beautiful MESOPO- 

 TAMIAN FALLOW DEER, found 

 in the mountains of Luristan, 

 in Mesopotamia!! Persia, is 

 somewhat larger than the 

 common species, while its 

 coat is much more brightly 

 coloured. The antlers bear 

 little resemblance to those 

 seen in the park-deer of 

 this country, being far less 

 palmated and spreading, and 

 more vertical. 



The enormous horns of 

 the extinct deer once known, 

 as IRISH ELK are now con- 

 sidered by naturalists to be 

 those of a gigantic species 

 of fallow deer. By the kind- 

 ness of Mr. J. G. Millais, 

 I am enabled to give the 

 dimensions of a pair of antlers 

 of one of these wonderful 

 beasts from his museum. 

 These antlers measure in 

 spread, from tip to tip, 9 feet 

 4 inches; length round inside 

 of right horn, 6 feet; round 

 left horn, 5 feet 8 inches, 

 a marvellous trophy, truly. 

 This specimen was dug up 



in County Waterford. These colossal fallow deer, which roamed the wastes of Ireland in 

 prehistoric times, must have afforded fairly exciting sport to the feebly armed human beings 

 who then existed. 



THE SAMBAR, OR RUSINE DEER 



SAMBAR may be shortly described as large deer, having rough, shaggy coats, and big, 

 rugged antlers of simple type, usually displaying but three tines. They belong to the group 

 known as Typical Deer, although they are but distantly connected with the red deer. The colour 

 of the coat is usually dark umber-brown, marked with chestnut about the rump and under-parts. 

 The well-known sambar of India stands as much as 5 feet 4 inches at the withers, and weighs, 

 before being cleaned, some 600 Ibs. The longest pair of antlers yet recorded (Rowland Ward's 

 " Records of Big Game") measure 48 inches in length over the outer curve. Usually to be 

 found among jungly, wooded hills and mountains in many parts of India and Ceylon, this fine stag 

 affords first-rate sport, and is much sought after by shikaris. It is to be met with in small 



fhm by Miti E. J. Bitl 



A SAMBAR STAG 



The only Indian deer of -which the fawns are unspotted 



