rvus Cashmirianus_,
with very rare exceptions, exceeds the brow antler in length; a
peculiarity by which the antlers of this species may be distinguished
from those of its allies."

The female gives birth in April, and the young are spotted.

The points on which this stag differs from the _maral_ are the longer
and more pointed head of the latter.

NO. 477. CERVUS AFFINIS _vel_ WALLICHII.
_The Sikhim Stag_ (_Jerdon's No. 218_).

NATIVE NAME.--_Shou_, Thibetan.

HABITAT.--Eastern Himalayas; Thibet in the Choombi valley, on the
Sikhim side of Thibet.

DESCRIPTION.--Jerdon describes this stag as "of very large size;
horns bifurcated at the tip in all specimens yet seen; horns pale,
smooth, rounded, colour a fine clear grey in winter, with a
moderately large disk; pale rufous in summer." Hodgson writes of the
horns: "Pedicles elevate; burrs rather small; two basal antlers,
nearly straight, so forward in direction as to overshadow the face
to the end of the nasal; larger than the royal antlers; median or
royal antlers directed forward and upwards; beam with a terminal fork,
the prongs radiating laterally and equally, the inner one longest
and thinnest." Jerdon adds: "Compared with the Kashmir stag this one
has the beam still more bent at the origin of the median tine, and
thus more removed from _C. elaphus_, and like _C. Wallichii_ (_C.
Cashmirianus_)." The second basal tine or bez antler is generally
present, even in the second pair of horns assumed. Moreover the
simple bifurcation of the crown mentioned above is a still more
characteristic point of difference both from the Kashmir
_barasingha_ and the stag of Europe.

Regarding the nomenclature of this species there seems to be some
uncertainty. Jerdon himself was doubtful whether the _shou_ was not
_C. Wallichii_, and the Kashmir stag _C. Cashmirianus_. He says: "It
is a point reserved for future travellers and sportsmen to ascertain
the limits of _C. Wallichii_ east and _C. affinis_ west, for, as Dr.
Sclater remarks, it would be contrary to all analogy to find two
species of the same type inhabiting one district."

Sir Victor Brooke writes: "Should _Cervus Wallichii_ (_Cuvier_)
prove to be specifically identical with _Cervus affinis_ (_Hodgson_),
the former name, having priority, must stand."

SIZE.--Length, about 8 feet; height at shoulders, 4-1/2 to 5 feet.
Horns quoted by Jerdon 54 inches round curve, 47 inches in divergence
between the two outer snags.