THE DUKE OF BEDFORD'S MENAGERIE. 305 



Unfortunately, however, this little Deer is of a very shy and 

 retiring disposition, and, as it will skulk behind a tussock of 

 grass till almost trodden upon, it is extremely difficult to get a 

 satisfactory view. A short time ago the collection also boasted 

 of a specimen of Michie's Deer (Elaphodus michianus), likewise 

 from the North of China; but that animal has unfortunately gone 

 the way of all flesh, and its skin (mounted by Rowland Ward) 

 now adorns the museum at the Abbey. In the same paddock 

 with Pere David's Deer are likewise several Himalayan Musk- 

 Deer (Moschus moschiferus). To see these little Deer bounding 

 away, with arched backs, like so many overgrown Hares, reminded 

 us of old Kashmir days, when Musk-Deer soup used to be a dish 

 in the camp menu. Here again it is curious to notice these 

 Himalayan animals flourishing side by side with the Spotted Axis 

 from the burning plains of Bengal. The Elk have been already 

 alluded to; but it may be mentioned that, although Mule-Deer 

 (Cariacus macrotis) and Pampas Deer (C. campestris) have been 

 tried, neither can be said to flourish. 



To pass on to the Antelopes: the small herd of Sable Antelope 

 has already received brief mention. In one of the large pad- 

 docks may be found a small herd of Eland, mostly consisting of 

 immature animals, although one bull is adult. None of these 

 Eland are in the fat condition often attained by old bulls, as 

 exemplified by the magnificent stuffed specimen, shot by Mr. 

 Selous, in the Natural History Museum. Apparently, however, 

 these animals thrive best when not too fat. Probably they will 

 breed at YVoburn, and, if so, a large herd may be looked for. It 

 is, however, unlikely that Eland-beef will ever form a commodity 

 in the English market, although visions of forming such a trade 

 were once entertained. Very striking objects in the same pad- 

 dock are three fine specimens of the North African Leucoryx 

 {Oryx leucoryx), whose white and chestnut coloration forms a 

 striking contrast to the hues of the other denizens of the same 

 enclosure. On grass this coloration is conspicuous, but on 

 the white sands of the African deserts it is in all probability 

 invisible at a short distance. From the same region comes a 

 specimen of the Bubal or Bubaline Hartebeest (Bubalis mauri- 

 tanica), and although this creature, with its long face, has, like 

 its kindred, a somewhat mournful and dejected appearance, it 

 appears to be in excellent condition. Another African type is 



