THE SMALL-DEER HOUSE, No. 49.
In captivity the small and delicate species of deer, antelopes and gazelles are better cared for in enclosures that are not too large. For such creatures, freedom in a large enclosure usually means early death from accident or exposure.
The very important building called the Small-Deer House has been erected with special reference to the wants of the interesting little hoofed animals which are too small for the Antelope House and the large ranges. In winter it will shelter the small tropical mountain sheep and goats, which are unable to withstand the rigors of outdoor life on Mountain Sheep Hill, and the tropical swine may also be expected here.
The Small-Deer House is situated in close proximity to the Antelope House, and westward thereof. Of the buildings of secondary rank, it is one of the most satisfactory, being roomy, well-lighted and capable of comfortably housing and displaying a large and varied collection. The structure is 158 feet in length by 46 feet in width. It contains thirty compartments, each of which, under stress of necessity, can be partitioned, and formed into two. The interior compartments are each 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep. The building is surrounded by a series of 34 corrals, connecting with the interior compartments, the average size of each being 75 feet long by 20 feet wide at the outer end. All the fences are of wire, and were specially designed in the Park for this installation.
SABLE ANTELOPE.
It is a practical impossibility to offer an enumeration of the living animals in this building which will permanently apply, and the best that can be attempted is an approximation. It is an inexorable law of Nature that the smallest animals shall have the shortest periods of life, and in a zoological park a small hoofed animal may be here to-day and gone to-morrow. In the following enumeration, mention will be made only of those species which are likely to remain longest on exhibition; and it may be observed that in this building there will be found various animals which are neither deer nor antelopes.
The Small Deer.
Osceola White-Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus virginianus osceola), is an interesting geographic race of the northern White-Tailed Deer which forms the parent stem of a group of six or seven subspecies. The robust and hardy northern type, often with large and strong antlers, gradually diminishes in size and in antlers, until in Mexico it becomes a small and delicate creature, with very small and light antlers bearing only two or three small tines. The next form has so widely diverged from the original type that it is necessary to accord it rank as a full species.
REDUNCA ANTELOPE.
The Sinaloa White-Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus sinaloae), is still smaller and weaker than the preceding. Our pair of specimens shown was obtained by Mr. and Mrs. C. William Beebe, in the State of Guadalajara, Mexico, and are highly interesting as a link near the lower terminus of the Odocoileus chain. On a majority of the antlers of this species there are no branches whatever, but simply a weak main beam, curving over at the tip, and terminating in a rounded point.
It should be noted here that the White-Tailed Deer group, (Odocoileus), is very well represented in South America by O. weigmanni of the Guianas.
The Marsh Deer, (Blastoceros paludosus), of eastern South America, is the largest South American deer. Our first specimen was obtained in 1904. Its antlers are strongly built but short, and in architecture resemble the antlers of a Siamese species known as Schomburgk Deer, (Cervus schomburgki); but the latter has on each beam three double bifurcations, while the former has but two. The Marsh Deer has very large, wide-spreading hoofs, which it would seem have been developed by many generations of existence on soft ground. It inhabits the jungles along river banks, in Brazil. The head of this animal is of remarkable length.
This important species is rather weak in captivity, and it is by no means certain that it can constantly be exhibited here. There is another South American species, (Blastoceros campestris), which is a zoological understudy, or miniature, of the large Marsh Deer.
The Black-Faced Brocket, (Mazama tema), whenever it can be obtained, will represent a group of American deer which is as little known in the United States as if it inhabited the heart of Borneo. The Brockets are smaller than the Sinaloa white-tailed deer, and they are so nearly hornless that the antler is merely a small, straight, sharp-pointed spike of bone only three inches long. The adult animal is only 25 inches in shoulder height, which is about the size of the muntjac of India. Of the Brockets there are several species, mostly South American, but from skulls and horns received we now know that it is found as far north as the State of Puebla, Mexico. A correspondent in that locality is constantly endeavoring to secure specimens for us, and no doubt will shortly succeed. For the reason that we expect specimens in the near future, this species is included.
The Hog Deer, (Cervus porcinus), which is very unlike a hog, and is libeled by its name, is a small species from India, which is provided with long and well-shaped antlers having a total of six points. Sometimes the adult males are spotted in summer, and sometimes they are not. This species stands next to the beautiful axis deer. It breeds well in captivity, but is a very nervous and even hysterical animal.
The Molucca Deer, (Cervus moluccensis), is a thick-bodied, scantily-clad and coarse-haired understudy of the Malay sambar, (Cervus unicolor). Of all deer it is one of the least beautiful. Its hair resembles the bristles of a wild hog, and its color is a dull, raw-umber brown. It belongs to the sambar group of East Indian deer, and really marks, both geographically and in size, the farthest departure from the type species of the group.
The Muntjac or Rib-Faced Deer, (Cervus muntjac), is one of the most interesting of all species of small deer. In one respect it is unique. Its tiny antlers, which are only 4½ inches in length, are placed high up on stems of solid bone, which sometimes rise 3¾ inches clear of the cranium. These pedicles of bone are covered with skin, quite up to the burr of the antler. The front angles of these pedicles are continued down the face to the nasal bones, and form the two sharply defined facial ridges which have given this creature one of its popular names.
SASIN ANTELOPE.
In India the Muntjac inhabits the jungles of the tiger, the leopard, axis deer and sloth bear, and escapes from its numerous enemies by hiding behind logs, and scurrying through the thick underbush so swiftly that its pursuers can not keep it in view. Its flesh is most excellent food. From its peculiar, yapping cry, many times repeated, it is often called the Barking Deer. It breeds readily in captivity, and its bright fawn color attracts to it much attention.
The Musk Deer, (Moschus moschiferus), of northern India, Tibet and Southern China is the creature which produces the well-known musk perfume of commerce. The product is secreted by the male in the “rutting” season. This species is one of the smallest of the true deer. Its most remarkable anatomical feature is a pair of very long and sharp canine teeth in the upper jaw, the points of which project far below the lower jaw. No horns are present in this animal. Being short-lived in captivity, and also difficult to obtain, it must be classed as an intermittent exhibit.
The Small African Antelopes.
In addition to the grand array of large antelopes inhabiting Africa, of which many fine examples will be found in the Antelope House, there is an extensive series of small species. Indeed, the richness of Africa in antelopes, great and small, is almost beyond belief. The species of Asia and Europe are so few, and so inconspicuous, that they seem like so many stray wanderers from the Dark Continent. The fertile, grassy plains of the great Central African plateau have cradled scores of species, some of which have wandered into the deserts, the forests and the fluviatile swamps, and there made their permanent homes.
The Black-Buck, or Sasin Antelope, (Antilope cervicapra), of the central plains of Hindustan, is one of the handsomest of the smaller antelopes. The horns of the male are long, strongly ringed, twisted spirally, and rise from the head in the shape of a V, sometimes to a length of 28 inches. At first the young males are fawn-colored, like the females, but as they grow older they steadily grow darker, until finally the whole upper body and lower neck are suffused with a rich, brown-black color. On the plains between the rivers Ganges and Jumna, herds of Black-Buck live in densely populated agricultural regions, and one of the greatest difficulties attendant upon its pursuit lies in shooting an animal without also shooting the native.
The Reedbuck, (Cervicapra arundinum), of South Africa, below Angola and Mozambique, is closely related to the larger and much more showy waterbucks, but is distinguished from them by the pronounced forward curve of its horns. In the western districts of Cape Colony, the number alive, in 1905, was estimated at 350 individuals.
The Common Duiker Antelope, (Cephalophus grimmi), or for that matter, any species of Duiker—may be regarded as the representative of a large group of very small African antelopes, of wide distribution. There are about twenty species in all, and the great majority of them are very modestly colored, in coats of one or two colors only. The prevailing tints are grayish brown and tawny red. The horns of the various species of Duikers are all very much alike. With but one or two exceptions, their horns are straight spikes from 3 to 5 inches in length. In shoulder height the Duikers vary from 14 to 30 inches, but the majority are between 17 and 22 inches. Only three or four species are strikingly colored.
The Four-Horned Antelope, (Tetraceros quadricornis) is a small creature which looks like a duiker, but is very far from belonging to that genus. It is an inhabitant of the brushy plains of India, and enjoys the unique distinction of possessing two pairs of horns. In addition to the 4-inch pair, normally placed, it has a much smaller pair, usually only 1 inch in height, which rises from the central area of the forehead. I believe it is the only species of antelope which possesses two pairs of horns.
GREAT GRAY KANGAROO.
The Springbuck, (Antidorcas euchore), is to South Africa as the “prong-horn” is to our great western plains. Once, both were abundant, and the first hoofed animal to greet the traveler who entered their respective domains. To-day, both species are so nearly extinct that the hunter must search long before finding even one. The Springbuck received its name in recognition of its remarkable habit of leaping high into the air when running—a habit which also is displayed by the black-buck of India.
The Gazelles are found only in Asia and Africa, and the number of species is about 25. In general terms they may be described as dainty antelopes,—so slender and delicate in leg construction that it seems strange that such slender bones can support a tall animal without breaking.
The Dorcas Gazelle, of Arabia, (Gazella dorcas), is the species which most frequently finds its way into captivity, and it will serve very well as a specimen species for the whole group. Despite its delicate and frail appearance, it is much more enduring in captivity than many animals which seem far more robust. A pair which entered the Park in 1900 is still living. The male has a temper which quite belies the reputation of the “gentle gazelle.” Although loyal and kind to his cage-mate, toward human beings generally he has manifested a very savage disposition, and in one of his fits of bad temper he broke off one of his own horns.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT.
The Indian Gazelle, (Gazella benneti),—frequently called in its home country Ravine “Deer,”—is a habitant of the sterile, water-washed ravines of northern and central India, which are the oriental counterpart of our western “badlands.” This animal inhabits the same regions as the black-buck, but because of the religious scruples of the Hindoos against the taking of life, both species are secure from attack—until the arrival among them of the white sahibs. A full-grown Indian Gazelle is 26 inches in shoulder height. The females of this species possess horns, which are very slender, and vary in length from 4 to 8½ inches.