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THE SAMBUR OR RUSA DEER. 
Cervus unicolor , Eusa aristotilis. Native names: Sambar , Hind. ; Jarao, 
Nepal; Maha, Terai; Meru , Mahr.; Ma-ao , Gond. ; Dhalnar , Kurku ; Kadumai , 
Tam.; Gows, E. Bengal; Kha-khowa-pohu , Assam; Tshat, Burma; Kadvi , 
Canara. 
Habitat .—Throughout the Indian Peninsula (except the Punjab) from 
10,000 ft. to sea-level ; common on alluvial flats, undulating or hilly ground 
with forest. 
Period of gestation .—Eight months, one at a birth. 
Description .—The largest Indian deer. Hair coarse, ears large, mane on 
neck and throat, tail moderate, horns normally have but three tines. In 
colour uniform dark brown, chin, lower surfaces, belly inside thighs yellowish. 
The young are never spotted. 
It is essentially a woodland deer, is not very shy, does not herd largely, 
is nocturnal in its grazing, feeds on grass, and browses on shoots and leaves and 
drinks daily. The horns are dropped in March and April, but this is very 
irregular, stags often retaining their horns for years. Speed moderate ; it is 
usually driven, often stalked and very tenacious of life. It is extremely 
belligerent, and its flesh is coarse, but well-flavoured. 
