62 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



certain districts, to which it forms a peculiar attachment, and which it never voluntarily deserts. 

 Many of these are known as the favourite resort of the animal for several generations. They consist 

 of moderately elevated grounds, diversified by ridges and valleys, tending towards the acclivities of 



the more considerable mountains, or approaching the confines of extensive forests The 



Muntjac has a strong scent, and is easily tracked by Dogs. When pursued it does not go off, like 

 the Stag, in any accidental direction ; its flight, indeed, is very swift at first, but it soon relaxes, and 

 taking a circular course, returns to the spot from which it was started. After several circular returns, 

 if the pursuit be continued, the Kidang thrusts its head into a thicket, and in this situation remains 

 fixed and motionless, as if in a place of security, and regardless of the approach of the sportsman." 



In China the Muntjacs are smaller than those of India and Java ; their antlers are less 



INDIAN MUNTJAC. 



developed at the same time that the tint of their coats is less rufous, and the neck is not white. 

 They were first described by Mr. Ogilby under the name of Reeves' Muntjac, a larger form having 

 been more recently discovered by M. A. Milne-Edwards and Mr. Swinhoe. With reference to 

 its habits the last-named naturalist tells us that "this species affects the low ranges of hills 

 which are covered with long, coarse grass and tangled thicket. It is there usually found in small 

 herds, basking in the sun, or lying in hidden lairs. They are very seldom approached near, except 

 by stealth. The least noise startles them, and they dash away with bounds through the yielding 

 grass, occasionally showing their rounded backs above the herbage. They have, however, their 

 regular creeps and passes through the covert, near which the natives lie when stalking them, while 

 others drive them. The little startled creatures hurry from danger along these beaten tracks, and 

 are then picked off with the matchlock." In captivity they soon become very docile, even when taken 

 in the adult state. The flesh of this animal is very tender and palatable. 



The enterprising missionary Pere David, among his numerous discoveries in Chinese zoology, 

 sent from Moupin, in Western China, to Paris, skins of a peculiar Muntjac, which is of special 

 interest. Having canine tusks, a black frontal hairy horseshoe, and the proportions of a Muntjac 

 generally, its antlers are not more than an inch long, at the same time that their pedestals are 



