along, the stalker keenly
watching the ears. A short distance gained, and the hind detects the
movement of our heads. At the same moment the upper tines of the
stag's antlers are in sight; he lies to the right of the hind, about
120 yards distant, hidden by an inequality of the ground. Be still,
oh beating heart! Be quiet, oh throbbing pulse! Steady, oh shaky hand,
or all your toil is vain! Onward, yet only a few paces! Be not alarmed,
oh cautious hind! We care not for you. Crouching still lower, we gain
ground; the head and neck of our noble quarry are in sight; the hind
still gazes intensely. Presently she elongates her neck in a most
marvellous manner. We still gain. On once more we move, when up starts
the hind. We know that in another moment she will give the warning
bell, and all will vanish. The time for action has arrived. We alter
our position in a second, bring the deadly weapon to bear on the stag;
quickly draw a steady bead, hugging the rifle with all our might,
and fire! The hinds flash across our vision like the figures in a
magic lantern, and the stag lies weltering in his couch."

_GENUS AXIS_.

Horns of the rusine type, but with the tres-tine longer than the royal
or posterior tine; beam much bent; horns paler and smoother than in
the sambar; large muffle and eye-pits; canines moderate; feet-pits
in the hind-feet only; also groin-pits; tail of moderate length; skin
spotted with white; said to possess a gall-bladder.

NO. 472. AXIS MACULATUS.
_The Spotted Deer_ (_Jerdon's No. 221_).

NATIVE NAMES.--_Chital_, _Chitra_, _Chritri-jhank_ (the male),
Hindi; _Chatidah_ in Bhagulpore; _Boro-khotiya_, Bengali at
Rungpore; _Buriya_, in Gorukpore; _Saraga_, Canarese; _Dupi_,
Telegu; _Lupi_, Gondi (_Jerdon_); _Tic-mooha_, Singhalese
(_Kellaart_); _Sarga_, _Jati_, _Mikka_, Canarese (_Sanderson_).

HABITAT.--Throughout India, with the exception of the Punjab; nor
is it found, I believe, in the countries east of the Bay of Bengal.
It is however obtained in Ceylon, where it has been classed by
Kellaart as a distinct species, _A. oryzeus_.

[Illustration: _Axis maculatus_.]

DESCRIPTION.--General colour like that of the English fallow deer,
yellowish or rufous fawn, spotted with white; the spots on the sides
low down assuming an elongated shape, forming lines; a dark dorsal
stripe from nape to tail; head brownish, unspotted; muzzle dark; ears
dark externally, white within; chin, throat, and under-parts whi