15
even more scope for
confusion between a sika
hind and a fallow doe
unless they are seen
clearly, Regrettably
many identifications
are made on the basis
of a glimpse of an
animal running away in
thick cover. Sika are
also a social animal and
so herds can be
encountered.
Chinese Water Deer
In size they are slightly larger than muntjac
and normally the head is carried high and the
back straight. No antlers are grown but
canine tusks are more prominent than in
muntjac. The coat colour is a light reddish
brown and unspotted. The ears are a prominent
feature and seem very large for the head size.
There is no white caudal patch and the tail is
not usually noticed.
The above is, of necessity, a very brief guide
to some of the main points to watch for when
trying to identify deer. Prospective deer
watchers would be well advised to visit deer
parks, wildlife parks and zoos to see the animals
at close quarters, observe the features indicated
and to compare and contrast the different species.
This will be difficult for roe as they are not
usually kept in captivity. The author is only
aware of one park in East Anglia which contains
roe and they are rarely visible to the public.
B. D. Eastcott