304 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



being very bright. The horns of the buck are, however, very different, 

 having, like those of the Sambur, three tines only on each, a brow-tine 

 and two end points. They are long and slender, but vary a good deal, 

 some diverging much more than others ; a yard is not an uncommon 

 length. This Deer is gregarious, and suffers a good deal from the 

 persecution of various carnivora, as well as the assaults of man ; but 

 it holds its own well, and is a common animal. The fawns may be 

 born and the horns shed at any time of year. In European parks 

 this Deer does well, though the fawns are apt to die when dropped 

 in the winter. 



THE FALLOW-DEER 



(Dama vulgaris) 



No hoofed animal exceeds this familiar ornament of our parks in grace 

 and beauty, though its white-spotted coat is less brilliant than that of 

 the last species, and varies a good deal in depth of tint. In winter 

 the spots disappear, and there is a sooty variety which never has any. 

 White specimens are also found. The horns of the Fallow-Deer are 

 Arery different from those of other typical Deer, being palmated or 

 -flattened at the ends ; both brow and bez tines are present. 



This Deer's natural home seems to be the countries bordering the 

 Mediterranean ; but it is far better known in semi-captivity as a park 

 -animal, for which position it is eminently fitted, not only by its great 

 beauty and utility as a provider of excellent venison, but by its gentle- 

 ness, for it is the only Deer in which the bucks are usually not 

 ■dangerous. It must be admitted, however, that vicious individuals 

 occasionally are found. When it is found living free and is hunted, 

 the Fallow-Deer exhibits much more cunning than the Red-Deer, 

 in spite of its long domestication. 



