ee = of a light should be outlawed. Also, it would be advisable to make it illegal to rill 
emajes or young. The deer is still abundant in many parts of the Remblic, but not so abun- 
dant that it should not be afforded some protection, Besides its value as a sporting animal, 
it is also an important item in the food of the Indians throughout the country, In many cases 
it ie almost their only source of meat, In remote districts, where ammunition is scarce, one 
shot at a deer will furnish so much meat that the Indians are generally reluctant to waste 
shots on smaller though equally palatable game. 
Remarks.--The Guatemalan race is Shomasi. 
36. 
Hames.-~Latin: Maxzama sartorii | 
Guatemalan: Guiteizil, G@yjiesisil, Cabro, Cabra de Monte 
English: Brocket 
Description.-~A small deer, with heavy body, rather short slender legs, antlers reduced to 
short etraight spikes no more than a few inches long, and with uniform bright reddish colora- 
tion only slightly paler on the under parts, 
D ~~Small size; heavy body; uniform reddish coloration, and short 
Spike antlers, 
8 »~-Adults average: length of head and body, 950 ma,; hind foot, 250 mn. 
.--Vera Cruz, México, south to Paraguay. 
r e--Probably the whole Republic from sea level to 10,000 feet on the 
Volcanoes, but apparently most abundant at the higher elevations. It is known aleo for Peten, 
Alta Vera Paz, and Quiché, and is reported from the Pacific coast region. Except at higher 
elevations and in the Zona Reina region, it is less common than the larger deer, 
Habitat.--Frefers deeper forests and denser thickets than the common deer, 
Habite.--Similar to the deer (No, 36), but more shy and secretive. 
Hunting.-~See No. 36, Because of its smaller size and general scarcity, this species does 
not approach the deer in importance as a game mammal, 
Remarks.--The Guatemalan race is cerasina. 
37. 
Nemes,--Latin: Tepirella bairdii 
Guatemalan: Danta 
English: Tapir 
Descrintion.--A large, stocky, stout-legged beast, with long flexible snout, short tail, short 
ears, hoofed feet, and scanty blackish brown hair, 
Distinguishing characteristics,--Large size; long, mobile nose; hoofed feet, 
Measurements.--Typical measurements are: total length, 2,020 mm,; tail, 70 mm.; hind foot, 
575 mm,; ear, 140 mn, 
General _distribution.--Vera Cruz, México, south to Panamé, 
Distribation in Guatemala.--Caribbean and Pacific lowlands, Petén, and the mountains of Quiché 
end Alta Vera Paz, 
Habitat.--In the lowlands: swamps, marshes, and river banks; in the mountains; moist cloud 
forests, : 
bite.--The tapir is nocturnal, extremely shy and secretive, and is very seldom seen by humans, 
Generally its presence ie known only by its tracke or by the loud grunting or roaring sounds 
which it sometines utters at night. It is a vegetarian and subsists mainly on buds, leaves, 
shoots, and grasses, It is a solitary mammal, and seldom found in company, except in the case 
of female with young. 
Bupting.--Tkis, the largest of Guatemalan land mammals, is seldom hunted in the Republic, 
largely because of the difficulties involved. In the first place, despite its large range, 
it has a very limited distribution, being practically restricted to the larger lowland swamps, 
Even within this limited distribution, it is generally scarce and travels alone, never handing 
into groups, Thus, it is very difficult to find, even in an area known to be inhabited, Ite 
extreme shyness and the swampy habitat make it even more difficult to find, There are only 
two practical means of hunting the tapir end neither is very effective, The firat method is 
with dogs, and eince the tapir immediately retreats to the water, often infested with croco- 
diles, the loss of doge is sometimes great, The other method is to cruise along the river 
banks at night in a boat. Of course, bagging a tapir by thie method is pure luck, When 
wounded, the generally inoffensive tapir may become very dangerous, even as much 60 as the 
big cate, For the hunter who prefers hunting which is difficult and dangerous, and requires 
extra skill, the tapir ie a fine game mammal, Also, while hunting in these wildest parts of 
the Republic, he 1s sure to get a wide variety of other game as well, 
157 
