THE DEER. igg 



belongs to Ceylon, though it is said to be common to the 

 forests of all parts of southern India. Mrs. Bowdich says: 

 "The smallest of the deer species lives in Ceylon; a lovely 

 delicate creature, with lustrous eyes and of exquisite form. 

 When full grown it is only ten inches high, fourteen long, 

 and weighs about five pounds. Its throat, head and neck are 

 all white; its body is grey, striped with black, and spotted 

 at equal distances with yellow. Although very timid it is to 

 be tamed; but if angry it kicks out its little hind legs and 

 slender pointed hoofs with great violence. One which was 

 domesticated, was placed on a dinner table, where it ran 

 about and nibbled fruit from the dishes, answered to its 

 name and returned the caresses which were bestowed upon 

 it." The deer proper, genus cervus, is found all over Europe, 

 Asia and America, one or two species belonging to the Medi- 

 terranean coasts of Africa. Of these the Red Deer, the 

 Reindeer, the Moose or Elk, the Fallow Deer and the Roe 

 buck are the better known species, all of which chew the 

 cud, have a divided hoof, and shed their horns annually. 

 The Bed The Red Deer {Cervus elaphus) is still found 

 Deer. Jq Scotland as well as in the forests of Europe 

 and Asia and is commonly hunted for sport. The stag is a 

 timid and apparently highly sensitive animal, but when brought 

 to bay has often shown a strength and courage which has 

 cost its hunters dear. It is one of the most beautiful animals 

 in nature, and combines with its beauty powers of speed and 

 endurance which are little short of the marvellous. Full grown 

 it measures four feet six inches in height at the shoulders, 

 and about five feet six inches in length. The hunting of the 

 stag in England has been a royal sport for centuries, though 

 owing to altered conditions it has fallen into disrepute of late 

 years. The overcrowded state of the country near London, 

 and the half tame character of the royal stags have rendered 

 the performances of the Windsor stag hounds an exhibition 

 more bonoiprc4 in the brejich than in the observ^jice. It 



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