CEEYUS. 549 



sunset. They generally drink between 8 and 10 o'clock in the 

 morning, the time varying with the season of year, and repose 

 during the day in deep shade. They swim well, and take readily 

 to water. They both graze and browse. 



There is, I believe, much variation in the ruttiug-season, which, 

 according to Hodgson, begins in September. It is generally in the 

 cold season in Northern India, but I am under the impression that 

 young fawns are born almost throughout the year. Certainly 

 there is great irregularity as to the period of dropping the horns, 

 and bucks with perfect antlers may be found at all seasons. The 

 call of the spotted deer is a peculiar, loud, hoarse barking sound, 

 easily recognized but difficult to describe. This deer also utters a 

 shrill alarm crv. The period of gestation is 8 months (P. Z. S. 

 1863, p. '2'30), or G according to Hodgson (J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 691). 

 The flesh is dry as a rule, but if kept till tender is excellent. 



369. Cervus porciniis. TJie Hog-deer. 



Cervus porcinus, Zimvi. Spec. Zool. Gtuu/. Quad. p. 532 (1777) ; 



McClelland, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 150 ; Huiton, J. A. S. B. x\; v. l-"30 ; 



Brooke, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 902 ; TV. Sclafer, p. 178. 

 llyelaphus porcinus, Sundevall, Komj. Yet. Ah. Handl. 1844, 



p. 181 ; Adams, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 530 ; Blijth, Cat. p. 153 ; id. 



Mam. Birds Burma, p. 45. 

 Axis oryzus, Ktlaart, Prodr. p. 83 (1852) ; Blt/fJi, J. A. S. B. xxiii, 



p. 217. 

 Axis porcinus, Jerdon, Mam. p. 262. 



Pdrd, H. (also Sindhi and Punjabi); Dodar, Rohilcund; Khar 

 layuna, Nepal Terai : Nutrini Jiaran, Beng. ; Wil-muha, Cing-. ; JJarai 

 or Dayai, Ijurmese. 



Size small. Legs shorter in proportion. Tail rather long. 

 Frontal region of skull narroA^'. No upper canines. Horns small, 

 on longish pedicels. Each horn with 3 tines, the brow-antler 

 meeting the beam at an acute angle, outer upper tine exceeding the 

 inner. 



Colour. Brown, more or less rufous or yellowish, the hairs with 

 pale tips, producing a minutely speclded appearance. Lower parts 

 paler. Ears white inside, and tail white beneath. In summer the 

 fur is paler, more rufous and more or less spotted with pale brown 

 or white. The spots are probably not always developed, and they 

 soon disappear : they are sometimes limited to one or two rows on 

 each side of a dark dorsal stripe. Some doubt has been expressed 

 as to whether adults are ever spotted, but I watched the assump- 

 tion of the spotted summer garb for 2 or 3 years in several adults 

 kept in the Calcutta Zoological Gardens. The young up to about 

 six months old are spotted throughout the body. 



Ditnensions. Height at shoulder about 24 inches ; length from 

 muzzle to root of tail 42 to 44, tail with hair 8. A male skull 

 measures 8"6 in basal length by 4-1 in orbital breadth. The horns 

 are generally small, and do not often exceed 10 or 12 inches in 



