ijS Rusine Group 



districts. An antler from the Plistocene deposits of the Narbada valley has 

 been tentatively assigned by myself to the para ; if the reference be correct, 

 the species formerly had a larger range. 



Habits. — The para, as this little deer is called in Hindustani, is essentially 

 a dweller on open alluvial rlats, where it generally prefers grass-clad plains, 

 although occasionally found among tall trees. Shunning the dense and lofty 

 grass-jungles which form the haunt of the Indian rhinoceros and buffalo, 

 the hog-deer selects localities where the grass and bushes attain but a 

 moderate height. In such spots it is to be met with abundantly, although 



Fig. 47. -Male Hog-Dccr in Summer Pelage. From a photograph by the Duchess of Bedford. 

 The light tint of the head and neck is due to the strong sunlight on these parts. 



it is seldom that more than two or three are seen in company, as this 

 animal is not of a sociable nature, and never collects in herds after the 

 manner of its relative the spotted deer. Indeed, except during the pairing- 

 season, even individual males and females keep apart from one another and 

 lead a more or less completely solitary life. The pairing-season is in 

 September and October, and the fawns are born eight months after. April 

 the usual month for shedding the antlers. In its movements the hog-deer 

 is not a particularly graceful animal, running in an awkward-looking manner, 

 with the head carried low. In captivity the bucks show great tameness, 

 and walk with the head well elevated somewhat after the manner of a 



