MANY groups of animals are of interest chiefly or solely to the naturalist, but those coming under the designation of big game claim a much more extensive list of admirers. And among these the members of the deer tribe occupy not the least important position. Not only are the majority objects of eager pursuit to the sportsman, but three are denizens of our larger British parks, and two of these are the only British representatives of big game. Moreover, many of them are capable of more or less complete acclimatisation in this country, and in that condition add largely to the attractions of our deer parks.

It is now many years since a complete monograph of the existing members of the group has appeared, among the latest being one by the late Sir Victor Brooke in 1878, and a second by the late Dr. LJ Fitzinger, which, although commenced in 1873, was not completed till 1879. Since these dates several new species have been described, and much revision of others, as well as of the general grouping, has taken place. And the present volume is an attempt to bring up to date the existing state of our knowledge of an exceedingly difficult group. Although the author has availed himself of all the accessible means of information, there are still many points requiring further elucidation, and much is necessarily left for future investigation.