DEER. 



367 



this point General Kinloch observes that many visitors to the various hill-stations 

 of the Himalaya, who may never have seen a kakar, must probably be well 

 acquainted with its voice, which is wonderfully powerful for such a small animal. 

 It is rather difficult to convey a correct idea of it by words, but it may perhaps be 

 best described as a hoarse resonant bark. The cry may frequently be heard in the 

 mornings and evenings, and it is also often uttered when the deer is alarmed, when 

 it hears any loud or unusual sound, or suspects the existence of any danger. 

 Occasionally a kakar will continue to bark, at short intervals, for an hour at a 

 time, and advantage may be taken of his betraying his whereabouts to stalk him. 



Kakar are adepts at making their way at speed through the most dense 

 jungle, and run with their head low and their hind-quarters elevated. When 

 running, a peculiar rattling sound 

 is produced by these animals, 

 which is thought to originate 

 in the mouth, although in what 

 manner is still unknown. The 

 bucks, when attacked by dogs, 

 appear to use their tusks, which 

 curve outwards in a peculiar 

 manner, as their chief weapons of 

 defence, and are able with them to 

 inflict gashes of considerable depth. 

 Although young kakar are appar- 

 ently to be met with at all seasons 

 of the year, the chief pairing-time 

 in Northern India is during the 

 months of January and February ; 

 the fawns, which may be one or 

 two in number, being born in the 

 following June or July. The 

 bucks shed their antlers in May, 



and their renewal is completed by August. The venison of the kakar is considered 

 superior to that of most of the Indian deer. 



In regard to the sport afforded by these deer, General Kinloch 

 writes : " I have stalked and shot kakar at various times, and have 

 also had them driven out of cover; many may be found in this manner, but, unless 

 one knows their usual runs, it is difficult to know where to post oneself. Like 

 many other animals, the kakar objects to being driven, and will break back through 

 the beaters in order to make his point. As they probably only give a chance of a 

 snap-shot at short range, it is easier to kill them with a charge of shot than witli 

 a rifle-bullet." 



There are four other species of muntjac, in addition to the common 

 Indian form. Of these, Fea's muntjac (C. feoe), from Tenasserim, is 

 rather smaller and darker than the Indian species, with a short tuft of hair between 

 the antlers, and a much shorter tail ; the latter appendage being altogether white, 

 save for a narrow streak of black down the middle of its upper surface. 



m 



HEAD OF HAIRY-FRONTED MUKTJAC. 



(From Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc, 18S5.) 



Hunting. 



Other Species. 



