THE AXIS DEER AND THE ROEBUCK. 



233 



horns are employed for the purpose of making ammonia, which has 

 therefore long been popularly known under the name of hartshorn. 

 The height of the adult Fallow Deer is three feet at the shoulders. It 

 is a docile animal, and can readily be tamed. Indeed, it often needs 

 no taming, but becomes quite familiar with strangers in a very short 

 time, especially if they should happen to have any fruit, bread, or bis- 

 cuit, and be willing to impart some of their provisions to their dappled 

 friends. 



The well-known Axis, Chittra, or Spotted Hog Deer, of India 

 and Ceylon, belongs to the Rusine Deer. 



The horns, like those of the sambur, a common Indian Deer, are 

 placed on long footstalks and simply forked at their tips. The color 

 of this pretty animal is rather various, but is generally a rich golden 

 brown, with a dark-brown stripe along the back, accompanied by two 

 series of white spots, which at first sight appear to be scattered irreg- 

 ularly, but are seen on a careful inspection to be arranged in oblique 

 curved lines. There is also a white streak across the haunches. There 

 are, however, many varieties of the Axis Deer, which difier in size as 

 well as in color. The height of the adult Axis is almost equal to that 

 of the Fallow Deer. 



The Roebuck is smaller than the Fallow Deer, being only two feet 

 and three or four inches in height at the shoulder, but, although so 

 small, can be really a 

 formidable animal, on 

 account of its rapid 

 movements and great 

 comparative strength. 



It is not found in large 

 herds like the Fallow 

 Deer, but is strictly 

 monogamous, the single 

 pair living together, con- 

 tented with each other's 

 society. The horns of 

 this animal have no 

 basal snag, and rise 

 straight from the fore- 

 head, throwing out one 



antler in front, and one \\K'^v^\s'4 %• 



or two behind, according '^'^^ Roebuck {Capreolus Caprcea), 



to the age of the individual. From the base of the horn to the first 

 antler the horn is thickly covered with wrinkles. It is a most active 

 little Deer, always preferring the highest grounds, thence forming a 

 contrast to the Fallow Deer, which loves the plains. It is seldom seen 



20* 



