THE BROW-ANTLERED DEER 157 



for the better preservation of one of the most 

 interesting species of Burmese fauna. In the 

 matter of game we are adepts at shutting the 

 stable-door after the horse has gone, and with 

 the example of Kashmir before our eyes, to say 

 nothing of America and South Africa, we cannot 

 afford to be lax in the matter. 



Thamin are generally shot from bullock- 

 carts, and in many places this is the only method 

 in which they can be approached. It is not 

 that their power of sight, keen as it is, is so good 

 as to prevent their being approached on foot. 

 But they are generally found in open bush, which 

 is, nevertheless, both sufficiently high and thick 

 to effectually conceal them from a man on foot. 

 They are particularly partial to ' zebu ' jungle, 

 a stunted species of plum, on the leaves and 

 berries of which they feed greedily ; and even 

 from a cart they are often invisible until one is 

 quite close. I have tried in such jungle stalking 

 them from pony back. As soon as one dismounts 

 the animals are hidden, and in endeavouring to 

 get near them one is sure to be spotted by some 

 keen-sighted doe, who gives the alarm and off 

 goes the herd. 



When thamin are found in the open it is 

 very interesting stalking them on foot. They are 

 extremely wary, and seldom allow a man within 

 a hundred yards. But a good stag secured in 

 this legitimate manner is worth twenty such 



