XXV 
THE SAM BUR 
297 
to six points—the sambur, axis (cheetul), and the 
hog-deer (C. porcinus ). I do not accept the bara 
singh of Cashmere as a separate species; it is simply 
the red-deer (C. elaphus) of Europe. If we banish 
that deer from the list, we have only the swamp- 
deer, that represents a species with more than six 
tines. The swamp-deer is also termed in India 
“ bara singh ” by the natives. This much resembles 
the red-deer of Scotland, and is about the same 
size; ten and even twelve points are not un¬ 
common, but the horns are seldom massive. I 
have been unfortunate in not obtaining a good pair. 
Although I killed five stags in 1888, there was only 
one head worth preserving; this has ten points, but 
it lacks weight ; nevertheless it is far handsomer 
than those of sambur. 
I should feel inclined to link this species with the 
true red-deer, although I believe it has been decided 
to be distinct. I feel sure that should an average 
swamp-deer be killed, or introduced among a herd 
of red-deer in Scotland, no person would remark 
any peculiar difference. The swamp-deer is found, 
as its name would imply, in the neighbourhood of 
well-watered plains, or valleys, where surrounding 
forests at all seasons afford a shelter. 
The sambur has totally different habits. 1 This 
grand animal is fond of rocky hills and steep 
mountain ranges, among the gorges of which it 
1 Although the sambur delights in rocky hills and the roughest 
country, it is also fond of a mud-bath in a neighbouring swamp, where 
it will wallow like a buffalo or pig, especially during the hot season. 
