CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE KASHMIR DEER. 



Cervus Cashmeerianus. 

 In Kashmir — Hdngal. By Shikaris — Bard Singhd. 



This fine deer is very similar to, if not identical with, the Red Deer of Scotland ; the 

 principal difference being in the superior size of the horns of the Kashmir stag. 



It seems to be confined to the ranges surrounding the valley of Kashmir, and to the 

 neighbouring districts of Gurais, Tilail, Kishtwar, and Badrawar. The Wardwan and Sindh 

 valleys, and the lower hills near Islamabad, used to be favorite localities, but of late years I 

 believe that the deer have been gradually working eastwards, and forsaking many of their 

 old haunts. 



The vastly increased herds of cattle, especially buffaloes, that are now annually driven 

 from the plains of India to spend the summer months. amidst the rich pasturage of the Hima- 

 layas, have had the effect of banishing the deer from many hills where they formerly 

 abounded ; a result which, however satisfactory from a utilitarian point of view, is by no 

 means welcomed by the sportsman. 



Not only have the deer been driven away, but their numbers have been woefully thinned 

 by the wholesale massacres perpetrated by the natives during the winter. It is said that 

 Shikaris are sent out by the Kashmir authorities to shoot all the stags that they can find ; 

 and after a heavy snow fall the villagers turn out with their dogs and hunt the unfortunate 

 deer until they become exhausted and stick in the snow, when they are surrounded and 

 either shot or knocked on the head with clubs and axes. I have been informed that during 

 one winter five hundred stags were thus slaughtered. 



Being, as I have said, so similar to the Scotch Deer, the Kashmir Deer requires but 

 little description. In the winter coat I think that there is no difference in color between the 

 two, but I am under the impression that the Scotch Deer is rather redder than the other 

 during the summer. 



The shape and character of the horns of the Hdngal vary considerably, but as a general 

 rule they are much more massive, and show a greater tendency to curve inwards at the 

 tips than those of the Red Deer. 



A full-grown stag usually has twelve tines on his antlers, hence the name Bard 

 Sing (twelve horns) by which he is generally known among the Shikaris and English 

 sportsmen. 



