THE SAMBUR— THE SPOTTED DEER 303 



roaring in the breeding season. Horns of the American Wapiti may 

 measure over five feet in length. These great Deer do well in our 

 parks, but are very dangerous animals at the rutting-time. 



THE SAMBUR 



(Cervus unicolor) 



The Sambur and its allied races take in South-East Asia the place 

 occupied by the Red-Deer and Wapitis in the northern parts of the 

 world. The typical and finest form of Sambur is found in India,, 

 where it inhabits both the mountains and the plains, being known as 

 the Jerrow in the Himalayas. It is about the size of the Red-Deer, 

 but far less elegant in build, and its tail is much more bushy. The 

 old stag is of a very dark brown, while the hinds are redder, and the 

 calves, which are usually unspotted, quite foxy red in many cases. But 

 it is the antlers which make the greatest distinction between the two 

 types. Those of the Sambur have no bez or tres tines— only the brow 

 tine and two points at the crown. The beam of the antler is, however, 

 very thick and rugged, and, as it may attain a yard in length, the head 

 is imposing enough. 



Sambur are forest-haunting animals, usually less gregarious than 

 Red-Deer, as they never collect in large herds, and are often found 

 singly. The shedding of the horns is very irregular in this species, 

 and sometimes stags do not drop them for years together. The Eastern 

 races of Sambur, which range to the Philippines, are usually smaller 

 than the Indian variety, some of them not being so big as Fallow- 

 Deer. Of recent years Sambur have been introduced into New 

 Zealand. 



THE SPOTTED DEER 



{Cervus axis) 



This very beautiful Deer . is widely spread in the plains of India, 

 inhabiting groyes near water. In size it is about equal to our 

 Fallow-Deer, and is very like that animal in summer coat, but even 

 more richly coloured, the chestnut ground of the white-spotted hide 



