x Preface 



similarly, if the American deer be referred to two or more genera, the fact 

 that all the deer peculiar to the New World are characterised by the 

 possession of antlers of the bifurcate type, accompanied by the division of 

 the nasal passage of the skull into two chambers, is not obvious. 



The author's personal acquaintance with the animals of which he treats 

 is by no means equal throughout. It is least in the smaller deer of Central 

 and South America, and it is consequently among these that subsequent 

 revision will probably be most necessary. 



To the kindness of numerous friends the author is greatly indebted for 

 much valuable assistance in various ways during the progress of the work, 

 and to all of these his best thanks are collectively tendered. Special mention 

 must, however, be made of his indebtedness to the Duke and Duchess of 

 Bedford, whose unrivalled collection of living deer at Woburn Abbey has 

 been unreservedly placed at his disposal for study. It was owing to this 

 collection that the idea of the work originated, and without it there would 

 have been no possibility of bringing the history of this group of animals to 

 such approach to completeness as it may haply possess. 



To the Duchess herself the author's especial thanks are likewise due for 

 the exquisite photographs of many specimens and groups in the collection 

 at Woburn with which the work is embellished. Not the least interesting 

 among them being the series of antlers of individual deer at different ages. 



Neither must mention be omitted of the care and attention bestowed by 

 Mr. Smit on the execution of the coloured lithographs, many of which 

 have been drawn from living examples in the collection at Woburn Abbey, 

 while others have been taken from specimens in the Zoological Society's 

 Menagerie. 



Harpenden, 1st March 1 898. 



