312 JOVRNAL, BOMBAY Natural HtStOkY SOClETt, Vol. XlV 



of the bullock cart is that bullocks are so dreadfully slow over rough 

 ground. Some hog deer lie so close as to get up almost under an ele- 

 phant's feet or just in front of the bullocks. If a stag happens to be 

 bolting in the direction of low grass near by, it is advisable not to fire, 

 for, not infrequently after rushing for some thirty or forty yards, he 

 may pull up for a few seconds, in which case an easy shot is obtained. 



Stags may be decoyed to leave cover by imitating '* calls, " at 

 which some Burmans are very clever. This is usually done by placing 

 a blade of grass between the thumbs, closing the hands, and blowing 

 into them. Professional shikaris, who go in for selling flesh to villagers, 

 take every advantage of this method, and thus kill many deer. Another 

 plan employed by the Burmans is as follows. — On a very dark night 

 two or three men proceed to grounds frequented by deer. The leader 

 carries a light on his head (the light is usually placed in a basket or 

 pot with the front removed) ; this man also has bracelets, and at times 

 anklets, to which small bells are attached. The confederates follow close 

 behind. The tinkling of the bells no doubt attracts the attention of the 

 deer who stands in astonishment at the glare of the light, and even 

 advances towards it, and, when close enough, is cut down or speared. 

 When Burmans were permitted to carry firearms, they shot the deer. 



During the hot season, and also towards the close of the rains, villagers 

 often hunt hog deer with dogs, so called Pegu hounds, and at times 

 have excellent sport, as the deer cannot sustain a high speed for any 

 length of time. I have known the dogs to run three deer down by 

 8 a.m. This form of sport is most exciting, but, unless one is in the 

 "]pink " of condition, owing to the heat the strain is too great on an 

 European. 



The name hog deer, no doubt, originated from their peculiar action 

 Vfhm running which is certainly hog-like. TV hen alarmed or dis- 

 turbed they go off with a rush, galloping low, carrying the head well 

 down, with the tail erect, and the constant bobbing of the tail is very 

 often the only visible portion of the beast as he rushes wildly through 

 the long grass. The Burmans believe that there are two kinds of hog 

 deer— one they call the Dayai-pj'-auk (spotted), the other, Dayai-nyo 

 (brown) ; the latter is said to be smaller than the former. For my own 

 part, I do not believe the statement to be correct ; and, in my opinion, 

 the idea is founded on the fact that an occasional adult like many fawns 

 is distinctly spotted. 



