550 



length. The longest recorded are a little over 20 inches long 

 with a girth at mid-beam of 3-5. 



Distribution. In the Indo-G-angetic plain everywhere from Sind 

 and the Punjab to Assam. The hog-deer is common in the Terai, 

 but never ascends the hills. It is found also in Sylhet and 

 throughout Burma to Tenasserim in alluvial flats. It may range 

 some distance into the Peninsula along the course of the Gangetic 

 tributaries like the Soane ; but although it is said by Forsyth to be 

 found in the Central Highlands east of Mandla, and by Eall to 



Fig. 179. Skull and horn of Cervus porcinus. 



have been seen by him distinctly in Jeypore near Vizagapatam, I 

 think the existence of the animal in both localities needs con- 

 firmation. As a rule, it is certainly not found in the Peninsula of 

 India ; reports of its occurrence in parts of the Bombay and 

 Madras Presidency being due to the use of the term Hog-deer for 

 Tragulus meminna and perhaps for Cervulus muntjac, on account 

 of their bearing tusks. Some true hog-deer occur in Ceylon, but 

 are confined, as I learn from Mr. Hugh Nevill, to a small area be- 

 tween Matura and the Kaltura Biver, and have almost certainly 

 been introduced. 



Habits. The hog-deer is an inhabitant of alluvial plains, and is 

 almost if not quite restricted to them. It abounds in some of the 

 grass-jungles, keeping as a rule to grass of moderate height, 

 mixed with tamarisk and other bush, rather than to the masses of 

 grass 12 to 30 feet in height that form the favourite haunt of the 

 buffalo and rhinoceros. It is sometimes found amongst high 

 trees, but not so often as on grassy plains. Hog-deer are not 



