CHAPTER VIII 



THE BROW-ANTLERED DEER (CERVUS ELDl) 



(Burmese, ' Thamin ') 



This is the typical stag of Burma, and a very 

 handsome one he is. In point of beauty the 

 writer puts him next to the barasingh of Kashmir, 

 being of the opinion that he beats even the 

 cheetul. The thamin used to be very numerous 

 throughout the dry zone, and though he is 

 still fairly plentiful in certain localities, his 

 numbers have sadly dwindled during the last 

 decade, while the size of his horns has decreased 

 likewise. This is partly due to the country 

 having become more opened out; but is chiefly 

 owing to the unremitting persecution he receives 

 at the hands of Europeans and natives alike. 

 The poor thamin, like the cheap gun or rifle, 

 is within the reach of all. Not only does he 

 fall a victim to the sportsman who traverses 

 the greater portion of the district with the 

 intention of securing a few really good heads, 

 but every volunteer armed with a magazine 

 rifle, every subordinate in Government employ 



