262-^ BUSING. 



the hog-deer in habit. As however, I liave no specimens, and have lost 

 ray notes of measurements, &c., I can do no more here than point out the 

 supposed difference, and leave it to future observers for verification. It 

 appears that Pennant also long ago distinguished it from the large one, 

 calling it the middle-sized Axis. Where Hodgson observed his Axis medius, 

 and what are its peculiar characters and haunts, we are unfortunately 

 ignorant. He calls it the Jhao lugna or Laghuna, which would indicate 

 that it frequented the sandy beds of rivers, in which the jhow (Tamarix) 

 grows, but it is impossible to say whether his Axis medius is the same as 

 the Malabar spotted deer or not ; but, if really distinct, it very probably 

 will be found to be the same, and in that case Hodgson's name, Axis medius 

 would stand for the small race, whether identical or otherwise with A. 

 ort/zeus of Celyon. 



The large spotted-deer is found in many of the forests and jungles in 

 Central India, both in hilly ground and level plains, and is very abun- 

 dant on both sides of the Nerbudda in suitable places ; also in many 

 localities along the "Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, Northern Circars, 

 &c., &c. It is also abundant along the lower and outer ranges of the Sub- 

 Himalayas, and in the forests and jungles that extend into the plains, and 

 along the course of the large rivers. It is also numerous in the Bengal 

 Sunderbuns, but is not found wild on the other side of the Bay of Bengal, 

 nor does it extend into the Punjab. Where numerous, they are very 

 gregarious. Early in the morning they may be found feeding in the open 

 glades, but soon retire to rest in the more shady and retired spots. 



The Malabar spotted deer occurs in forest all along the Malabar coast, 

 coming to open glades or patches of rice land during the night, where it 

 commits great depredations, and where it may sometimes be shot early in 

 the morning before it has retired to the forest, I have seen herds of 

 above a hundred of these deer at the foot of the Neelgherries, and nearly 

 as numerous ones in Malabar, and in the Wynaad. 



The next deer has been separated as a sub-genus, Hyelaphus. 



222. Axis porcinus. 



Cervus apud Zimmerman. — Blyth, Cat. 491. — Figd. P. Cuvibr, Mam- 

 mif. 3, 91-92. — C. oryzeus, Kelaart apud Blyth. — G. dodur, Eoyle. — 

 C. niger apud BucH. Ham. MSS., dark variety. — Pdrd, H. — Kharlaguna, 

 of Nepal Terai. — Svgoria also, ia some parts. — Nuthrini haran, in some- 



