Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park 8
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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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.
Miscellaneous Mammals.
The Small-Deer House will at all times contain various mammals which are
there shown because it is a practical impossibility to provide a
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