3-028-160 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Prince Alfred's Stag, from Singapore, in the Zoological Society's Gardens, [London], 1870. '...the deer turns out to be a very interesting animal, being obviously quite distinct from any species of the group that has been hitherto received alive by the society. Nor has Mr. Sclater, the secretary of the Zoological Society, succeeded in identifying it with any previously-recognised species; so that, at one of the recent meetings of the society, he has described it as new to science, and proposed to call it Cervus Alfredi, after his Royal Highness the Prince, who had sent home the first known specimen. Prince Alfred's stag...is more nearly allied to the well-known axis, or spotted deer of India, than to any other species. In general form it much resembles that animal, but is distinguishable by its smaller ears and by the dark coffee-brown colour of the fur, which is relieved by numerous rows of whitish spots. It is not known exactly from what country this deer was obtained, but it is probably a native of one of the larger Asiatic islands. Prince Alfred's stag is at present lodged in one of the new deer-sheds in the northern division of the Zoological Society's Gardens. It is a very tame and quiet animal'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.