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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Weasel: Mustela nivalis nivalis Linnaeus.
This species is widely distributed and has maintained its num-
bers in Essex in spite of persecution in certain areas. Since 1957
it has been seen at Hutton, Bradwell (several records), Foulness
Island, Danbury, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Billericay, Skipper's
Island, Romford, Loughton, Boreham, Stanford Rivers, High
Roding, Margaretting, Walthamstow, Abridge, and various parts
of Epping Forest. According to Owen it is frequent around Col-
chester. It thus appears that this species is more common than
the Stoat, and it may be that the Weasel has replaced the Stoat
to some extent in places.
Common Seal: Phoca vitulina Linnaeus.
Seals are not infrequently reported from various parts of the
Essex coast, and are most probably of this species, which exists
in large numbers in the Wash. In recent years, the animal has
been seen at Skipper's Island, in the River Stour, and at South-
end, where a very young seal was observed resting on part of the
structure of the pier just above water level. Owen says that it is
commonly seen most winters in the Rivers Colne and Blackwater.
The Grey, or Atlantic Seal, Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius), is
likely to occur less frequently than the Common Seal on the Essex
coast, but no authenticated records are in the possession of the
Club for recent years for this species. Identification of seals in
the water is often not easy, and care must be taken in diagnosis.
Ungulata
Fallow Deer: Dama dama (Linnaeus).
These deer occur in central, north, and north-west Essex, and
are most probably the descendants of deer which escaped from the
once numerous deer parks. Most of the Fallow Deer are of the
light-coloured and spotted type, unlike the very dark brown and
unspotted variety associated with Epping Forest. Some of the
feral Fallow at large in the countryside outside Epping Forest are
very dark in colour, and white or off-white animals are seen from
time to time. Although the deer seem to prefer to remain in herds
based on particular wooded areas, it is probable that they travel
fair distances under pressure of persecution or for some other
reason. Much remains to be learned about the distribution and
status of these deer in Essex. Other species of deer believed to
occur in Essex but whose present existence in the county is still
unconfirmed include the Japanese Sika. Sika nippon nippon
(Temminck), and the Muntjac, Muntiacus muntjak (Zimmer-
mann) although a Muntjac was killed on the road at Gosfield,
circa 1945, according to Owen,
Cetacea
Common Porpoise: Phocaena phocoena (Linnaeus).
A specimen of this species, 3 ft. 10 in, long was stranded at
Walton-on-Naze on 19 April 1962.