EXOTIC DEER. 23 



Although the Japanese sika will take boughs when offered, it is 

 chiefly a grazing animal. It is a rough feeder and thrives on the same 

 food that cattle eat. The fact that it flourishes in the humid climates 

 of Ireland and the Hawaiian Islands shows that it would probably do 

 equally well in almost all parts of the United States. It has been 

 successfully bred in most of the zoological parks of this country, and 

 no obstacle to its successful propagation in open parks is known. 



The Peking sika (Pseudaxis hortulorum) is larger than the Jap- 

 anese species, much more vividly colored in summer, and, judging 

 from the experience of the Duke of Bedford with his herd at Wo- 

 burn, it also is admirably adapted for private parks in humid parts 

 of our country. 



THE PERE DAVID DEER. 



The Pere David deer (Elaphurus davidianus) is mentioned here 

 because the species is now unknown in a wild state. When discovered 

 by Pere David none were known outside of the herds in the Imperial 

 Park of the Emperor of China. The subsequent destruction of the 

 imperial herds in 1894 left the few individuals that had been taken to 

 Europe, and their progeny, the only known living representatives of 

 the species. It is now thought that the herd at Woburn Abbey are 

 the sole survivors. They seem to be thoroughly acclimatized there 

 and to be increasing from year to year. 



INDIAN SAMBAR. 



The Indian sambar (Cervus unicolor) is a large species with 

 several geographic races. Although Lord Powerscourt failed to 

 acclimatize these animals in his park in Ireland, they flourish at 

 Woburn Abbey, where they are kept in the open. At Powerscourt 

 the dense thickets and lack of sunshine were fatal to these deer. 

 The species does well in zoological gardens and public parks, and 

 it has often been recommended for private preserves. Like the 

 wapiti, the male is vicious during the rutting season. 



AXIS DEER, OR CHITAL. 



The chital or spotted deer {Cervus axis) of India and Ceylon is 

 one of the handsomest of ruminants. It is one of the few deer that 

 is spotted with white throughout the year. The species has been 

 successfully bred in European parks and in zoological gardens in 

 many parts of the world. Although native to a warm country, it 

 does well in England and the United States. At Woburn Abbey 

 the herd is always in good condition. Its beauty makes it very 

 desirable for parks. L T nlike our native deer it sheds its horns irregu- 

 larly and breeds at almost any season. It has been crossed with the 

 Virginia deer. 



