. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. 62 NATURAL HISTORY. certain districts, to wliich 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 ofi", like the Stag, in any accidental direc
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. 62 NATURAL HISTORY. certain districts, to wliich 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 ofi", 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 cii-cular returns, if the pursuit be continued, the Kidang thrusts its head into a thicket, and in this situation remains fiyed and motionless, as if in a place of security, and regardless of the approach of the ; In China the Mun^jacs are smaller than of India and Java; their antlers are less. develoi^ed at the same time that the tint of their coats is less rufous, and the neck is not white. They were first described by Mr. Ogilby under the name of Reeves' Muntjac, a larger form having been more recently discovered by M. A. Milne-Edwards and Mr. Swinhoe. With reference to its habits the last-named naturalist tells us tliat " this species affects the low ranges of hills which are covered with long, coarse gi-ass and tangled thicket. It is there usually found in small herds, basking in the sun, or lying in hidden lairs. They are very seldom approached near, except by stealth. The least noise startles them, and they dash away with bounds through the yielding grass, occasionally .showing their rounded backs above the hei-bage. They have, however, their regular creeps and passes through the covert, near which the natives lie when stalking them, while others drive them. The little startled creatur
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