OCR Text |
Show 1877.] SIR V. BROOKE ON THE DEER OF THE PHILIPPINES. 51 4. On the Deer of the Philippine Islands, with the Description of a new Species. By SIR VICTOR BROOKE, Bart., F.Z.S. [Eeceived January 22, 1877.] (Plates VIII.-X.) With perhaps the exception of the Simple-horned Deer of South America comprising the subgenus Coassus, there is no group of existing Cervidae concerning which our knowledge is so inexact and so fragmentary as that relating to the small Rusine Deer of the Philippine Islands. With the desire of remedying this defect as far as possible, I have for some years paid particular attention to the subject, and during several visits to Continental Museums have enjoyed (thanks to the great courtesy of their conservators) ample opportunities of studying the materials bearing upon it which they contain. I regret that the result of my investigations is not more satisfactory ; and it is solely in the hope that an exposure of the nakedness of the land may attract the attention of future naturalists travelling in the Philippines to the subject that I venture to lay the following notes before the Society. CERVUS PHILIPPINUS. (Plate VIII.) 1820. Cerf des Philippines, Desm. M a m m . p. 442, note 1. 1821-24. , Cuv. Oss. Foss. (ed. ii.) vol. iv. p, 46. 1827. Cervus philippinus, Ham. Sm. Griff. An. Kingd. vol. iv. p. 147, vol. v. p. 33. 1844. , Sund. Pec. in Kongl. Vet. Handl. 1844, p. 179. 1855. , Puch. Rev. et Mag. Zool. 2nd ser. torn. vii. p. 49. 1857. , Puch. Rev. et Mag. Zool. torn. ix. p. 481, pl. 15. 1866. Cervus mariannus, Fras. P. Z.S. 1866, p. 367- Description.-Adult male. Hair of moderate length and father harsh. General colour rich ruddy brown, darkest on the back and lightest on the neck. Forehead and cheeks rufous fawn-colour; dark (almost black) streaks commence over each eye, and, blending together, form a band running down the centre of the face, which is separated from the dark moustache-like mark bordering the muzzle by a narrow track of pale fawn-colour. Breast and belly uniform brown. Tarsal gland plainly marked by a rufous spot. Ears of moderate size, covered externally by short close-set hair. Horns remarkably rough and massive; a powerful long brow-antler, and one short tine directed inwards. Height at shoulder about 27". Skull. Total length 11*3. Anteorbital fossa very deep, suddenly pressed in anteriorly 'o the orbit, and occupying the entire facial plate of the malar. Facial portion of skull compressed laterally, and deeply from above downwards. 4* |