56 



GREAT GAME ANIMALS. 



The Barasingha Group. * *ird Indo-Malay group of the genus 

 Cervus is represented by the Burmese 



Subgenus Rucervus. Thamin {c eM> , 2g2 fig 43)> the Indian 



[Cases Barasingha or Swamp-Deer (C. duvauceli, 1293), and C. schom- 

 61 & 62.] hurgU ( \ 294) of Siam. Compared with the Busa group, these Deer 

 have the beam of the antlers more flattened and more curved, while 

 the large brow-tine arises at an obtuse instead of an acute angle, and 

 the beam divides into two branches, at least one of which is more 

 or less subdivided. In all the three species the tail is short, and 

 the neck maned. The Thamin inhabits swamps and grassy plains, 

 where it associates in herds of from ten to fifty or more individuals. 

 The colour of these Deer is reddish or brownish, without distinct 

 spots; and the gland-tufts on the hind-limbs are but little developed, 

 or absent. 



The Muntjacs. The Muntjacs, as they are called in India, form 

 GenilS CervillllS a g rou P of small Deer confined to China and the 



Or MuntjacilS. Indo-Malay countries. From the genus Cervus 

 [Case 61 "j they are readily distinguished by the long pedicles supporting the 

 short antlers of the bucks (fig. 45) ; these pedicles converge below, 

 and are continued on the sides of the forehead as rib-like ridges. 

 Hence the name of Bib-faced Deer, which is frequently applied to 

 the Muntjacs. The males have long, scimitar-like upper tusks. 

 Muntjacs are solitary creatures, frequenting hilly, forest-clad 

 ground, where they pass most of their time in thick covert, only 

 coming out to graze in the early morning and about sunset. 

 They carry the head and neck low ; and in running have an 

 ungainly and somewhat Sheep-like action. In penetrating thick 

 covert at speed, they are unrivalled. The name of Barking-Deer, 

 which is frequently applied to the Indian species, is taken from its 

 peculiar alarm-cry, which is somewhat like the bark of a fox. 

 Specimens of several species such as the Indian C. muntjac (1295), 

 and the Chinese C. lachrymans (1296), are exhibited, these being 

 red in colour. Other species, like C.crinifrons (1297), are how- 

 ever purplish grey in colour, like the members of the next genus. 



The Tufted Deer The Tufted Deer from China and Tibet, such as 

 Genus Elaphodus michianus (1298) and E. cephalophus 



ElaphoduS. (1299), comprise a few small species nearly 

 allied to the Muntjacs, from which they may be distinguished by 

 the pedicles supporting the very minute antlers of the males 



