1875. ] DEER FROM MESOPOTAMIA. 265 
colour. Some black hairs form an indefinite dark patch on the base 
and at each side of the base of the tail. Remainder of the tail and 
the belly white. 
Skull broad in comparison with its length, and in general form re- 
sembling that of Dama vulgaris. Nasals expanded at the superior 
extremities. Suture between the malar and maxilla equidistant from 
the lower rim of the orbit and the alveoli of the molars. Praemaxillee 
reaching the nasals. 
Horns with a strong massive burr, immediately above which is 
developed a short brow-antler, rather compressed from above down- 
wards (a, figs. 2, 3). Expanding gradually from the burrs a fan- 
Shaped palm is formed, from which are thrown off one inner 
(fig. 3,6) and two anterior tines (fig. 3, ¢). From the posterior 
corner of the palm rises a strong cylindrical beam, terminating in 
three well-developed tines (figs. 2, 3, d). 
Total length of the horn in a straight line 22”; height of the 
palm 7”, its width 5”; length of the brow-antler 2"; height of 
adult male at the shoulder about 40”. 
Hab. Khuzistan, Luristan (Persia). 
Tn reference to the habits of the species, Mr. Robertson has sent 
me the following particulars :—«I fear I cannot tell you much 
about the habits of these animals; there are very few of them on 
the Karoon. But I understand they are more plentiful on the Dis 
and Kerkhah, where the jungles are of greater extent and the feed. 
ing probably better. The Karoon jungles are of white poplar and 
tamarisk bushes, From March until November there is abundance 
of coarse grass, which horses will eat when hungry, but not other- 
wise. I once watched a doe and her fawn browsing on the young 
shoots of poplar bushes. These and a kind of moss found in de- 
pressions in the desert where rain-water has lain, are, I -fancy, their 
food. Gazelles live chiefly on the latter. These deer are never 
seen abroad after sunrise. They pass the day in the thick poplar- 
jungle, which is scarcely penetrable, and where it is impossible to 
surprise them. Those I have shot I have generally found in the 
morning and evening twilight near the edge of the cover, If you 
will indicate any further points upon which information will’ be 
useful, I will do my best to obtain it.” 
Comparison with Dama vulgaris. 
Tn its general cranial structure, palmated horns, and coloration 
Daria mesopotamica exhibits close affinity to Dama vulgaris, but 
may be easily distinguished from that species by the following cha- 
racters :— 
1. By its considerably superior size. 
2. By the much greater lateral expansion of the superior extre- 
mities of the nasal bones. 
3. By the position of the suture between the malar and superior 
maxilla. In the new species this suture is about equidistant from 
the lower border of the orbit and the alveoli of the molars; in the 
Fallow Deer it is situated much nearer the former. 
