BIRCH GROVES OF EPPING FOREST. 83
Deer. The number of deer in the Forest has fluctuated
considerably within the last century. The following extract
from Epping Forest, by E. North Buxton, verderer, makes
the fact perfectly clear:—He remarks "An old inhabitant writes:
—'When a boy, my father took me for a treat to London, 1829.
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.' The number grew less and less until about the
year 1860, when there were said to be under ten left alive."
After this the herd increased slowly, but only small groups are
met with at the present time, as there was a considerable loss of
numbers during the war. Unless hard pressed, deer do not
browse on birch; it appears to be distasteful to them, and to
other animals also.
When the number of deer was at its greatest (1829), they
acted as a considerable factor in preventing the rejuvenescence
of the Forest, as they browse on almost every tree except birch,
and thus helped to prepare the way for the great invasion with
which we are now dealing.
Rabbits. Towards the close of the last century there was a
general complaint by the owners of woodlands in Essex that it
was useless to plant, after felling, owing to the depredations
of the enormous numbers of rabbits.
The following is one of the answers given to a questionnaire
addressed to the owners of extensive woodlands in Essex:—
"In some of the oldest oak woods, about 250 years of age, or more,
the coppice has been eaten away till nothing but bramble forms
the unprofitable undergrowth, and so hopeless does the prospect
seem, that no planting has been done to replace stubs killed by
rabbits." Another reply was "No replanting is being done
now as the expense would be out of proportion to any return
that could be expected."
Rabbits at this time, 1870-1914, were greatly hindering the
normal rejuvenescence of the Forest. The numbers were,
however, greatly depleted everywhere by the demand for animal
food during our time of stress. That the number of rabbits
now in the Forest falls far short of that of pre-war times is the
general opinion of those who have very intimate associations
with this area.
The analyses published by Dr. J. E. Salisbury are of import-