THE ROEBUCK. 
567 
with two or three white lines upon the body. There is, however, another variety which 
scarcely exhibits any of the white spots, and is of a deep blackish-brown. 
The food of the Fallow Deer consists chiefly of grass, but it is very fond of bread, and will 
sometimes display a very curious appreciation of unexpected dainties. I have often seen them 
eat ham-sandwiches in spite of the mustard, and enjoy them so thoroughly that they pushed 
and scrambled with each other for the fragments as they fell on the ground. The animals 
nibble bread, and will raise themselves on their hind legs in order to reach it. It is 
curious to see how a single Deer will contrive to take into her mouth the entire side of a 
“half -quartern” loaf, and though it projected on each side of her jaws, would manage, by 
dint of patient nibbling, to swallow the whole crust without ever letting it drop out of her 
mouth. 
It is from the Fallow Deer that the best venison is procured, that of the stag being com- 
paratively hard and dry. The skin is well known as furnishing a valuable leather, and the 
horns are manufactured into knife-handles and other articles of common use. The shavings 
of the horns are employed for the purpose of making ammonia, which has therefore been 
long popularly known under the name of hartshorn. The height of the adult Fallow Deer is 
about three feet at the shoulders. It is a docile animal, and can be readily tamed. Indeed, 
it often needs no taming, but becomes quite familiar with strangers in a very short time, 
especially if they should happen to have any fruit, bread, or biscuit, and be willing to impart 
some of their provisions to their dappled friends. 
The Sambur, or Samboo {Hus a aristotelis), is an example of the Rusine Deer of Asia. 
It is a large and powerful animal, exceeding the red Deer in dimensions, and equaling that 
animal in activity and energy. The horns of the Samboo are set on a rather long footstalk, a 
snag projecting forwards just above the crown, and the tip simply forked. Its color is a sooty- 
brown, with a patch of tan over the eyes, the feet, and by the root of the tail. The male pos- 
sesses a rather full and dark mane. It is generally a savage and morose creature, being 
especially vicious when it is decorated with its powerful horns. In its native land it is a 
water-loving animal, and is generally found in low-lying forest land. 
Another member of the Rusine Deer is the well-known Axis, Chittra, or Spotted Hog 
Deer, of India and Ceylon. 
The horns are not at all unlike those of the samboo, being placed on long footstalks, and 
simply forked at their tips. The color of this pretty animal is rather various, but is generally 
a rich golden-brown, with a dark brown stripe along the back, accompanied by two series of 
white spots. The sides are covered with white spots, which at first sight appear to be scattered 
irregularly, but are seen on a careful inspection to be arranged in oblique curved lines. There 
is also a white streak across the haunches. There are, however, many varieties of the Axis 
Deer, which differ in size as well as in color. The height of the adult Axis is almost equal to 
that of the fallow Deer. 
It does not appear to possess so much restless activity as is seen in many other Deer, and 
owing to its nocturnal habits, is but seldom seen by day. It frequents the thick grass jungles, 
preferring the low-lying lands, where a stream is within easy reach, and passing the greater 
part of the day asleep, in the deep shade of the heavy foliage. If disturbed it flies off with 
great speed for a short distance, but does not appear to be capable of maintaining a long chase. 
Of the Capreoline Deer, the common Roebuck is a familiar example. 
This animal is smaller than the fallow Deer, being only two feet and three or four inches 
in height at the shoulder, but although so small, can be really a formidable animal, on account 
of its rapid movements and great comparative strength. Speaking of this animal, Mr. St. 
John makes the following remarks. After stating that when captured young it can readily be 
tamed, he proceeds to say : 
“A tame buck becomes a dangerous pet, for after attaining to his full strength, he is very 
apt to make use of it in attacking people whose appearance he does not like. They particu 
