262 RUSIN^E. 



the hog-deer in habit. As, however, I have no specimens, and have lost 

 my notes of measurements, &c., I can do no more here than point out the 

 supposed difference, and leave it to future observers for verification. It 

 appears that Pennant also long ago distinguished it from the large one, 

 calling it the middle-sized Axis. Where Hodgson observed his Axis 

 medius, and what are its peculiar characters and haunts, we are un- 

 fortunately ignorant. He calls it the Jhao lugna, or Laghuna, which 

 would indicate that it frequented the sandy beds of rivers, in which 

 the jhow (Tamarix) grows ; but it is impossible to say whether his Axis 

 medius is the same as the Malabar spotted deer or not j but, if really 

 distinct, it very probably will be found to be the same, and in that case 

 Hodgson's name, A xis medius, would stand for the small race, whether 

 identical or otherwise with A. oryzeus of Ceylon. 



The large spotted-deer is found in many of the forests and jungles 

 in Central India, both in hilly ground and level plains, and is very 

 abundant on both sides of the Nerbudda in suitable places ; also in many 

 localities along the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, Northern Circars, 

 &c. &c. It is also abundant along the lower and outer ranges of the 

 sub-Himalayas, and in the forests and jungles that extend into the 

 plains, and along the course of the large rivers. It is also numerous in 

 the Bengal Sunderbuns, but is not found wild on the other side of the 

 Bay of Bengal, nor does it extend into the Punjab. Where numerous, 

 they are very gregarious. Early in the morning they may be found 

 feeding in the open glades, but soon retire to rest in the more shady 

 and retired spots. 



The Malabar spotted deer occurs in forest all along the Malabar coast, 

 coming to open glades or patches of rice-land during the night, where it 

 commits great depredations, and where it may sometimes be shot early 

 in the morning before it has retired to the forest. I have seen herds of 

 above a hundred of these deer at the foot of the Neelgherries, and nearly 

 as numerous ones in Malabar and in the Wynaad. 



The next deer has been separated as a sub-genus, Hyelaphus. 



222. Axis porcinus. 



Cervus apud ZIMMERMAN. BLYTH, Cat. 491. Figd. F. CUVJER, 

 Mammif. III. 91-92. C. oryzeus, KELAART apud BLYTH. C. Dodur, 

 ROYLE. C. niger apud BUCH. HAM. MSS., dark variety. Pdrd, H. 



