CHAP, xxv THE SAMBUR 409 



We certainly proved that no season dominated the necessity for 

 shedding horns, but the question of durability remained undecided. 

 Since that time I have come to the same opinion as the natives, 

 that there is no fixed period for the duration of a sambur's antlers. 



Although the horns of sambur are sometimes large, I cannot 

 admire them as graceful examples of a deer's antlers ; they have 

 only three points each, forming a total of six, which gives a barren 

 appearance to a large head. 



There are several deer in Asia which are limited to six points 

 the sambur, axis (cheetul), and the hog-deer (C. porcinus). I 

 do not accept the bara singh of Cashmere as a separate species ; 

 it is simply the red-deer (C. elaphus) of Europe. If we banish 

 that deer from the list, we have only the swamp-deer, that repre- 

 sents a species with more than six tines. The swamp-deer is also 

 termed in India "bara singh" by the natives. This much 

 resembles the red-deer of Scotland, and is about the same size ; 

 ten and even twelve points are not uncommon, but the horns are 

 seldom massive. I have been unfortunate in not obtaining a good 

 pair. Although I killed five stags in 1888, there was only one 

 head worth preserving ; this has ten points, but it lacks weight ; 

 nevertheless it is far handsomer than those of sambur. 



I should feel inclined to link this species with the true red-deer, 

 although I believe it has been decided to be distinct. I feel sure 

 that should an average swamp-deer be killed, or introduced among 

 a herd of red -deer in Scotland, no person would remark any 

 peculiar difference. The swamp-deer is found, as its name would 

 imply, in the neighbourhood of well-watered plains or valleys, 

 where surrounding forests at all seasons afford a shelter. 



The sambur has totally different habits. 1 This grand animal 

 is fond of rocky hills and steep mountain ranges, among the gorges 

 of which it retires during the heat of clay. Like most wild 

 animals it is nocturnal, and will wander great distances to obtain 

 some favourite food. It is a terrible nuisance to the cultivator, as 

 no ordinary fence will secure the crops ; the sambur will overleap 

 anything below 6 feet. 



When the cinchona was introduced into Ceylon it became 

 necessary to protect the young plants by wire fences, as the sambur 

 committed great depredations in the young plantations, although 

 they ceased to eat the leaves when the plants became old. 

 Although this deer exceeds all Asiatic varieties in weight, it is 



1 Although the sambur delights in rocky hills and the roughest country, 

 it is also fond of a mud-bath in a neighbouring swamp, where it will wallow 

 like a buffalo or pig, especially during the hot season. 



