CHAPTER XXXV. 



THE HOG-DEER. 



Cervus Porcinus. 

 Generally throughout India — Pdrd. 



The Hog-Deer is one of the most insignificant of the beautiful family of the Cervidce, 

 and, owing to the nature of the country which it inhabits, its pursuit cannot be considered 

 to come under the head of legitimate ' deer-stalking.' It is, however, one of the animals 

 most frequently met with when shooting with a line of Elephants ; and, magna componere 

 parvis, it may be said to take the place of the English rabbit in the Indian battue, where 

 everything is on a magnified scale as compared with home scenes and game. 



The Hog-Deer is found throughout the whole length of the Terai and in Assam, and 

 I believe also in Burmah. It is also to be met with in the grass jungles on the banks of 

 the Indus, Ganges, Jumna, and other large rivers, and is in many places extremely numerous. 



The Hog-Deer somewhat resembles the Spotted Deer, but is not nearly such a hand- 

 some animal, being heavily made, and standing on short legs. Its English and specific names 

 have been derived from the pig-like manner in which it rushes through the long'grass when 

 disturbed ; keeping its head low down, and galloping without that bounding action which 

 characterizes most deer. The color of the skin is a dark reddish brown, occasionally more 

 or less spotted with white ; the hair is rough and coarse in texture. The horns have three 

 tines, but they are much smaller than those of the Chi'tal, and have a stunted appearance. 



Like Chi'tal, Hog-Deer appear to shed their horns very irregularly, and deformed antlers 

 are frequently met with. 



The females are considerably smaller than the males and somewhat lighter in color : 

 the young are invariably spotted. 



Hog-Deer are not generally found in dense forests, but prefer those in which there are 

 frequent open spaces, and still more delight in jungles composed of long grass interspersed 

 with bushes of no great height. They are rarely found far from water, and when disturbed 

 they frequently seek shelter in a neighbouring swamp. Though not gregarious, many may 

 be seen at the same time in favorable localities, where they sometimes collect in large 

 numbers, all, apparently, being quite independent of each other. 



Many are usually put up when beating for Tigers, and they are a favorite prey of that 

 animal. 



Although they are, of course, unmolested when Tigers are expected, a bye-day is 

 occasionally devoted to them when nobler game is not expected, and they afford capital 

 practice to the young sportsman in the somewhat difficult art of shooting from a howdah : 

 far more being missed than hit even by the oldest hands. The sound of a sudden rush, 



