MAMMALS OF UORNEO. 67 



GENUS C E R y U S . 



CERVUS EOUINUS. 



Ccrvns cquinus^ Cuv. Osscmcns Fossil cs^ p. 45, pi. v, 

 figs. 37, 38, 46 (1.S23). 



The largest Indian deer. Ears large. Hair coarse. Neck 

 and throat of the adult male covered with long hair forming an 

 erectile mane. Muffle large. Orifices of infraorhital glands 

 very large and capable of eversion. Tail moderate. Inter- 

 digital glands wanting, according to Hodgson. Molars 

 markedly hypsodont, with small accessory columns. A deep 

 lachrymal fossa ; auditory bulla slightly inflated and rugose. 

 Horns each normally with but three tines and very rarely 

 bearing more, irregular points or sports being less common 

 than in most deer ; the brow-antler meets the beam at an acute 

 angle ; the two upper tines generally sub-equal in Indian heads, 

 but very variable in form and proportion. 



Colour almost uniform dark brown throughout, sometimes 

 greyer, sometimes with a slight yellowish tinge, scarcely paler 

 below. Females and young paler and more rufous than males. 

 Chin, inside of the limbs near the body, lower surface of the 

 tail, and inner parts of the buttocks yellower, sometimes dull 

 yellowish white. Young not spotted at any stage. Some old 

 males are very dark-coloured, almost black or dark slaty grey. 



Dimensions. — Height at shoulder of males 48 to :;6 

 inches, and it is said even more ; length 6 to 7 feet, tail 12 to 

 13 inches, ears 7 to 8. Females are smaller. A male skull 

 measures in basal length i4'2 inches, extreme length i5'7, 

 orbital breadth 67. 



Habits. — Although it does not shun the neighbour- 

 hood of man to the same degree as Bos sondaicits does, it 

 is only common in wild tracts of country. It comes 

 out on the grass slopes, where such exist, to graze, but always 

 takes refuge in the woods. It is but rarely found associating in 

 any numbers ; both stags and hinds are often found singly, but 

 small herds from four or five to a dozen in number are com- 

 monly met with. Its habits are nocturnal ; it may be seen 

 feeding in the morning and evening, but it grazes chiefly at 

 night, and at that time often visits small patches of cultivation 

 in the half-cleared tracts, returning for the day to wilder parts, 

 and often ascending hills to make a lair in grass amongst trees, 

 where it generally selects a spot well shaded from the sun's 

 rays. It feeds on grass, especially the green grass near water, 

 and various wild fruits, of which it is very fond, but it also 

 browses greatly on shoots and leaves of trees. It drinks, I 



