3 88 UNGULATES. 



and southern portions of South America ; and do not attain such large dimensions 

 as the members of the next group. 



The pampas deer is the smaller of the two species, standing about 1\ feet at 

 the shoulder ; and its range extends from Paraguay and Uruguay through Argen- 

 tina into Northern Patagonia. The antlers (as shown in the profile view in our 

 illustration) are characterised by the great development of the forked posterior 

 tine, at the expense of the unbranched front-tine; the number of points thus 

 being three. The hair is thick, coarse, and glossy ; its colour on the upper-parts 



THE PAMPAS DEER ( ,' 2 liat. size). 

 t 



being light reddish brown. The lower parts of the flanks, as well as the chin, 

 throat, chest, and a stripe on the limbs, are dusky ; while the under-parts, inner 

 sides of the limbs, under side and tip of the tail, and insides of the ears are white. 

 The pampas deer is the largest and most common ruminant in 

 the districts from which it takes its name. It frequents dry and 

 open parts of the country, and is generally found in pairs or small parties, the old 

 bucks being, however, solitary. Mr. Darwin says that " if a person crawling close 

 along the ground, slowly advances towards a herd, the deer frequently, out of 

 curiosity, approach to reconnoitre him. I have by this means killed, from one 

 spot, three out of the same herd. Although so tame and inquisitive, yet when 

 approached on horseback they are exceedingly wary. In this country nobody 



