THE DEER OF INDIA 



In length of horn, the heads from the North-West 

 and Central India show a marked superiority over 

 those from the South. Horns up to 46^ inches in 

 length (Rowland Ward's Horn Measztrements] have 

 been bagged, but upon the Nilgiri hills a 36-inch 

 head is nowadays very rare. 



Sambur venison is, in my opinion, quite worthless, 

 but the tongue is good, and I have even tasted good 

 soup made of the meat. 



These deer form a favourite item in the tiger's 

 menu, and many a fine stag falls a victim to the 

 jungle tyrant. A planter, on the Billiga Rungun 

 hills in Mysore, once had the luck to be in just 

 after the death in this way of a stag with a fine 

 head, and to bag the tiger on the spot. 



Sambur-leather is soft and pliable, and is very 

 useful in making leggings, cartridge-belts, cartridge 

 bags, etc. 



Noted localities for this deer are the Sewalik hills 

 and the Terai in the North, the forests of Central 

 India, the Nilgiri hills, and the Eastern and Western 

 Ghauts. 



Sambur are tough animals, and I prefer the large 

 canelured '500 express bullet for use upon them. 



The vernacular names for this deer are 



H industani Sambur. 



In the Himalayas Jerai and Jerao. 



In the Terai Maha. 



Mahrathi Meru. 



Gondi Ma-oo. 



Canarese K adavi. 



249 



