58 THE DEER OF EPPING FOREST.
hundred head.25 They do not associate in one herd, but roam about
in small parties, keeping to the thickest underwood and most unfre-
quented parts of the forest. Consequently they are but seldom seen,
and many people doubtless are unaware of their existence. With suffi-
cient ground over which to roam, plenty of covert to conceal them,
and enough to feed upon, they do well enough, and, it need hardly
be said, form a most pleasing feature in the forest landscape.
In February, 1884, an attempt was made to introduce the Roe
deer, and so far with every prospect of success. The experiment is
an interesting one, and one which naturalists doubtless will regard
with curiosity ; for, with the exception of Dorsetshire, where it was
re-introduced about eighty years ago, the roe deer is no longer to be
found in a wild state in any part of England. I need not name the
few parks in which a few head of roe are preserved for ornament, for
in these their liberty is restrained within the limits of their inclosure.
In Dorsetshire they are perfectly wild, and roam freely through the
Milton, Whatcombe, and Houghton woods, which fringe the southern
side of the vale of Blackmoor, where at the present time it is estima-
ted there may be scattered about perhaps one hundred and fifty head.
Mainly through the exertions and liberality of Mr. E. N. Buxton,
one of the Verderers of the forest, arrangements were made to trans-
port a few from that district, Mr. Mansell Pleydell, of Whatcombe,
and Mr. Hambro, of Milton Abbey, having expressed their readiness
to supply them if only they could be caught and transported without
injury. It is comparatively easy to take deer with nets in a park ;
but in this case, the animals being scattered about in the woods, it was
not quite so simple a matter. The experiment, however, was made,
and, as an eye witness of the modus operandi, I may describe how the
capture was effected.
The first step was to secure a sufficient length of suitable netting
25 It appears from the Court Rolls of the beginning of last century that, by large presents of venison
to high personages; and the privileges of hunting recklessly accorded to Court favourites, the stock
of deer in Waltham Forest had become so low. that by an order of the Earl of Tankerville, "Chief
Justice and Justice in Eyre of all His Maits'. Forests, Chases, Parks, and Warrens on ye South side
of Trent," it was decreed that a "generall restraint of His Majts'. Deer and Game '' should continue
for three years. No person or persons were to be allowed to hunt, course, shoot, sett, or in any
manner of way to kill any deer or game of any kind whatsoever within the said forest during the
continuance of this my restraint (except Peers of the Realm goeing to and retorning from
Parliamt.), and except alsoe such Deer as shall be given in composition of those who have the
liberty of purlieu Hunt and Free Hay's." Poachers also, locally known as "Waltham blacks," had
committed great havoc. But after this, according to Buxton's "Epping Forest," the deer again
increased, and "our grandfathers describe them as being visible in large herds between Woodford
and Epping to the passengers in the numerous coaches which passed that way, bound for the
eastern counties. An old inhabitant writes : 'When a boy, my father took me for a treat to
London. It was a fine summer morning. We started at four o'clock. I well remember the open
plains bordering the forest swarmed with deer. I am sure there must have been hundreds in sight
at one time. This was in the year 1829.' Another old inhabitant tells me that he remembers
seeing them opposite Assembly Row, near Leytonstone."—Ed.