DEER IN ESSEX 315
The present distribution of fallow covers mainly the North and
West of the county. The London to Colchester road, with its
adjacent railway, appears to form a barrier. Deer do occur to the
South but not to anywhere near the same extent. In the northern
part of the county they appear to be widely spread throughout but
a closer inspection of the records shows that existing or old deer
parks appear to be centres of activity.
MUNTJAC (Muntiacus reevesi)
This small deer was not known to occur in Essex in Laver's
time. The earliest records came from the Colchester area in 1941
where two were shot. They have established themselves in a few
areas in the middle of the. county but are not common in the
county as a whole.
THE FUTURE OF DEER IN ESSEX
There would seem to be no cause for alarm about fallow deer
but it is likely that as woodlands are removed and urban develop-
ment increases their distribution may well become more wide-
spread, although possibly their numbers may be less than at pre-
sent.
It is quite likely that the first roe deer will occur in Essex
during the 1970's, as signs indicate that they are spreading south
from their nearest stronghold in Thetford Chase, Red deer also