THE DEER OF THE WORLD 55 



THE DEER FAMILY 



Cervidae 



General Observations. — The Deer Family is well rep- 

 resented on all continents, and on all large islands, save 

 Africa, Australia and New Zealand. There are about forty- 

 five well-defined species and many subspecies. With but one 

 or two exceptions the species found in the tropics and sub- 

 tropics are scantily antlered, dull in color and covered with 

 coarse, thin hair. There is but one tropical deer which is 

 really beautiful, and that is the axis, or spotted deer, of India 

 and Ceylon. 



The following facts regarding the deer of the world are 

 worth remembering : 



The American Moose is the largest member of the Deer 

 Family, living or extinct. 



The American Elk, or Wapiti, is the largest and finest of 

 all the round-horned deer. 



The Axis Deer is the most beautiful in color of all deer. 



The Moose has the heaviest and most massive antlers, 

 with the widest spread. 



Male deer of all species have solid antlers, of bone, usually 

 branching into several tines. 



All members of the Deer Family shed their antlers and 

 renew them completely every year. 



The young of nearly all round-horned deer are spotted 

 at birth. 



All adult male deer are dangerous in the mating season, 

 when their antlers are new and perfect. 



