^8 Reindeer 



there may be whitish rings round the eyes ; there is a white area in the 

 region of the tail, which includes the sides but not the upper surface of the 

 latter ; and the tarsal tuft is generally white. The antlers are smooth, and 

 brow nish white in colour, but the hoofs are jet black. Albino varieties 

 occasionally occur in the wild state. A height of 4 feet 10 inches at the 

 shoulder has been recorded in the Newfoundland race. 

 Distribution. — The same as that of the genus. 



a. Scandinavian Race — Rangifer tarandus typicus 



Plate I 



The wild Scandinavian reindeer, which may doubtless be regarded as 

 the typical form of the species, is a smaller animal than the American 

 woodland race, with antlers approximating to those of the barren-ground 

 race, but less elongated, and with a distinct back-tine in the male, the 

 brow-tines moderately palmated and frequently nearly symmetrical, and the 

 bez not excessively expanded. Female antlers generally much smaller than 

 those of the male, although occasionally as large, but with much fewer 

 points. Pasterns of feet very short and broad, without any distinct cleft 

 between the two component phalangeal bones of each segment, and a tuft 

 of hair immediately above the cleft of the hoof. Tail very short. Tarsal 

 tuft very long. The white ring above the hoofs passing imperceptibly 

 into the fawn of the limbs without any distinctly marked line of division 

 in the male, and, in some cases at least, almost absent in the female. A 

 distinct light ring round the eye in the male, but not in the female. 

 Upper surface of tail but little darker than the sides and under surface. 

 Some white on the muzzle. 



The above description is taken from a mounted male and female from 

 Norway in the British Museum, supplemented by Dr. J. A. Allen's notes. 

 Seen side by side with the male woodland reindeer mounted in the same 

 case, they confirm the latter writer's statement that the Scandinavian rein- 

 deer has the appearance of being quite a different animal from either of the 

 New World races. Most marked is the difference in the conformation of 

 the feet, although other specimens are required to show how far this is 

 constant. In their shortness and expansion, the feet of the European rein- 

 deer seem more adapted for marshy districts than are those of the American 



