286 



The Living Animals of the World 



deer, once they are shot at, 

 exhibit extraordinary wariness 

 and cunning, so much so that 

 curious tricks and disguises 

 have often to be resorted to 

 when a fat liuck has to be 

 shot for \-enison. 



The beautiful JMesopo- 

 lAMiAN Fallow Deer, found 

 in tlie mountains of Luristan, 

 in 3Iesopotainian Persia, is 

 somewhat hirger than the 

 common species, while its 

 coat is much more brightly 

 coloured. The antlers bear 

 little resemblance to those 

 seen in the park-deer of 

 this country, being far less 

 l^almated and spreading, and 

 more vertical. 



The enormous horns of 

 the extinct deer once known 

 as Irish Elk are now con- 

 sidered by naturalists to be 

 those of a gigantic species 

 of fallow deer. By the kind- 

 ness of Mr. J. G-. Millais, 

 I am enabled to give the 

 dimensions of a pair of antlers 

 (if one of these wonderful 

 beasts fronr his museum. 

 These antlers measure in 

 spread, from tip to tip, 9 feet 

 4 inches ; length round inside 

 of right horn, 6 feet ; round 

 left horn, 5 feet 8 inches, — 

 a marvellous trophy, truly. 

 This specimen was dug up 

 in County Waterford. These colossal fallow deer, which roamed the wastes of Ireland in 

 prehistoric times, must have afforded fairly exciting s}>oit to the feebly armed human beings 

 who then existed. 



Photo hy Mas E. J. ISuk. 



A SAJIBAE STAR. 

 'J'he only Indian deer of wliich the fawns are unspotted. 



The Sambar, or Ix'jsine Deer. 



Sambar may be sh(jrtly descril)ed as large deer, liaving rough, shaggy coats, and big. 

 rugged antlers of simple type, usually displaying but three tines. 'Ihey belong to the group 

 known as Typical Deer, although they are but distantly connected with the red deer. The colour 

 of the coat is usually dark umber-brown, marked with chestnut about the rumj) and under-parts. 

 The well-known sambar of India stands as much as 5 feet 4 inches at the withers, and weighs, 

 before being cleaned, some 600 lbs. The hjiigest pair of antlers yet recorded (Rowland Ward's 

 "Records of Big Game ") measure 48 inches in length over the outer curve. Usually to be 

 found among jungly, wooded hills and mountains in many jiarts of India and Ceylon, this fine stag 

 affords first-rate s[iort, and is nuich sought after by shikaris. It is to be met with in small 



