THE HOG-DEER AT BAY 



ABOUT the size of our fallow-deer, to whose horns those of the bucks are very similar, the 

 hog-deer differs essentially in form of body. With a heavy head, not unlike that of a sheep, 

 it has remarkably low fore-quarters, with hinder parts broad and fleshy. Down the back,-in two 

 parallel lines, run oval white spots, commencing at the withers and gradually lessening in size 

 as they approach the insertion of the tail. The rest of the animal is of a mouse colour, 

 modified, however, according to its age and environments. In point of speed the hog-deer is 

 greatly inferior to the antelope. In hunting the latter, greyhounds are of little or no use, they 

 being easily outstripped, unless by good fortune they chance to take a herd by surprise and 

 terrify it into inactivity. With the hog-deer it is different. A greyhound will keep him at his 

 full speed, even if not able to run him down, and will prevent him from squatting, as he is very 

 apt to do. When closely pursued, the buck becomes extremely fierce, and rarely fails to 

 make an obstinate defence. One very ugly trick the animal has, that of suddenly stopping 

 short, letting the horseman pass, and then making an impetuous rush at the horse's hind 

 quarters. If two sportsmen be in company, the one in the rear will at this moment get a 

 favourable opportunity for delivering a spear ; but the risk in hunting this animal being much 



