  The measured pseudorapidity distribution of primary charged particles in
minimum-bias d + Au collisions at ${\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}} = \rm {200 GeV}}$ is
presented for the first time. This distribution falls off less rapidly in the
gold direction as compared to the deuteron direction. The average value of the
charged particle pseudorapidity density at midrapidity is ${\rm < dN_{ch}/d\eta
>_{\mid \eta \mid \le 0.6} = 9.4 \pm 0.7(syst)}$ and the integrated primary
charged particle multiplicity in the measured region is 82 $\pm$ 6(syst).
Estimates of the total charged particle production, based on extrapolations
outside the measured pseudorapidity region, are also presented. The
pseudorapidity distribution, normalized to the number of participants in d + Au
collisions, is compared to those of Au + Au and ${\rm p}+\bar{\rm p}$ systems
at the same energy. The d + Au distribution is also compared to the predictions
of the parton saturation model, as well as microscopic models.
