In Siam this species is replaced by the closely-allied SCHOMBURGK’S DEER, a little-known species, in which the antlers are extremely elegant, the long brow-tyne being followed by a short beam which bifurcates into two equal branches, these again, each of them, bifurcating in a similar manner.
ELD’S DEER, OR THE THAMYN.[37] This Deer, which differs from the Swamp Deer only in its antlers, was discovered by Captain Eld, in 1838. It abounds in the swamp lands of Burmah, and extends as far east as the Island of Hainan. Its form is slimmer than that of the Red Deer, at the same time that it is somewhat smaller, attaining a height of over four feet. During the summer months its body-colour is a light rufous brown, with a few faint indications of white spots. Its under parts are nearly white, as are the insides of the hairy ears. Its tail is short, and black above. In winter its lengthy hair takes on a darker tint.
Lieutenant R. C. Beavan has given an excellent account of the habits of Eld’s Deer, from which we learn that their food must consist almost entirely of grass and paddy, which grow both cultivated and wild, in the swamps in which they dwell. “In habits they are very wary and difficult of approach, especially the males. They are also very timid, and easily startled; the males, however, when wounded and brought to bay with Dogs, get very savage and charge vigorously. On being disturbed they invariably make for the open, instead of resorting to the heavy jungle like Hog Deer and Sambur. In fact the Thamyn is essentially a plain-loving species; and, although it will frequent tolerably open tree-jungle for the sake of its shade, it will never venture into dense or matted underwood.... When first started the pace of the Thamyn is great. It commences by giving three or four large bounds like the Axis or Spotted Deer, and afterwards settles down into a long trot, which it will keep up for six or seven miles on end when frequently disturbed.” As to the means employed to hunt them, the same author informs us that “a large number of men would assemble from the neighbouring villages, and gradually encircle three or four moderate-sized herds with long strings, upon which plantain-leaves were tied so as to flutter in the wind. The circle, originally formed at some distance, was gradually lessened as the Deer, afraid to pass the scarecrows, got gradually driven together, until they were completely surrounded and at the mercy of the hunters. The object was to get them into a corner near the heavy jungle, into which, if they attempted to run, they either became entangled, or allowed their pursuers to get up quite close. As many as a hundred and fifty to two hundred, my informant tells me, he has himself seen killed in one battue in former years. To such a length was this [shameful] system carried, and such enormous havoc was thereby created, that the Burmese Government, fearing the species would be utterly exterminated, wisely put a stop to the practice.”
CHAPTER V.
THE MUNTJACS—THE ROEBUCK—CHINESE DEER—REINDEER—AMERICAN DEER—DEERLETS—CAMEL TRIBE—LLAMAS.
[THE MUNTJACS]—Distribution—Characters—[THE INDIAN MUNTJAC, OR KIDANG]—Hunting—[THE CHINESE MUNTJAC]—Habits—[DAVID’S MUNTJAC]—“Shanyang”—[THE ROEBUCK]—[THE CHINESE WATER DEER]—Peculiarity—Chinese Superstition regarding it—[THE CHINESE ELAPHURE]—Peculiarity of its Antlers—[THE REINDEER]—Distribution—Character—Colouration—Antlers—Canadian Breeds—Food—[THE AMERICAN DEER]—[THE VIRGINIAN DEER]—[THE MULE DEER]—[THE BLACK-TAILED DEER]—[THE GUAZUS]—[THE BROCKETS]—[THE VENADA, OR PUDU DEER]—[THE CHEVROTAINS, OR DEERLETS]—Antlerless—Their Position—Bones of their Feet—General Form and Proportions—Species—[THE MEMINNA, OR INDIAN DEERLET]—[THE JAVAN DEERLET]—[THE KANCHIL]—[THE STANLEYAN DEERLET]—[THE WATER DEERLET]—[THE CAMEL TRIBE]—Their Feet—Stomach—Its Peculiarity—The Water Cells—[THE (TRUE) CAMEL]—Description—The Pads of Hardened Skin—Its Endurance—Its Disposition—Anecdote of its Revengeful Nature—[THE BACTRIAN CAMEL]—[THE LLAMAS]—Description—Habits—Used as Beasts of Burden—Wild and Domesticated Species—[THE HUANACO]—[THE LLAMA]—[THE VICUNA]—THE ALPACA—The Alpaca Industry—FOSSIL RUMINANTIA—Strata in which they are Found—Chœropotamus—Hyopotamus—Dichobune—Xiphodon—Cainotherium—Oreodon—Sivatherium—Fossil Deer, Oxen, Goats, Sheep, Camels, Llamas, Antelopes, Giraffes—The Irish Elk—Its huge Antlers—Its Skeleton—Ally—Distribution.
THE MUNTJACS.[38]
THE Muntjacs form a group of small and elegant Deer found in India, Burmah, China, the Malay Peninsula, and the large islands of the Indo-Malay Archipelago. They differ from all other members of the family in that their diminutive antlers are supported on lengthy bony pedestals, covered with a hairy skin much like the horn-processes of the Giraffe. Most, also, have a pair of elongated longitudinal ridges between the eyes, within the folds of which small glands are situated, at the same time that there is a dark crest of retroverted hair, tending to the shape of a horseshoe, upon the forehead. In the males the upper canine teeth develop into tusks, which project externally some way below the lip, though not so far as in the Musk, forming efficient instruments of attack.
The INDIAN MUNTJAC, OR KIDANG, is the best known species. Its antlers attain a larger size than those of any of the others, although they are not more than four inches long, composed of an undivided beam, at the base of which there is a diminutive brow-tyne. Its size is slightly less than that of the Roebuck, its colour uniformly foxy red-brown, with the throat, hind part of abdomen, and under surface of tail white. A black line runs up the inner side of each antler-pedestal of the male, instead of forming the frontal horseshoe of the female.
Dr. Horsfield tells us that in Java, where it is much hunted, “the Muntjac selects for its retreat certain districts, to which it forms a peculiar attachment, and which it never voluntarily deserts. Many of these are known as the favourite resort of the animal for several generations. They consist of moderately elevated grounds, diversified by ridges and valleys, tending towards the acclivities of the more considerable mountains, or approaching the confines of extensive forests.... The Muntjac has a strong scent, and is easily tracked by Dogs. When pursued it does not go off, like the Stag, in any accidental direction; its flight, indeed, is very swift at first, but it soon relaxes, and taking a circular course, returns to the spot from which it was started. After several circular returns, if the pursuit be continued, the Kidang thrusts its head into a thicket, and in this situation remains fixed and motionless, as if in a place of security, and regardless of the approach of the sportsman.”
