Appendix No. 1.
xxv
themselves in any wood where sufficient food could be obtained. They
live chiefly on acorns, nuts, beech-mast, growing bark, cones of larch and
other pines, leafbuds and tender shoots, besides truffles and various kinds
of fungi; and here it may be observed that such edible fungi as may be
met with in the woods should not be inconsiderately kicked aside and
destroyed, but left for food for the squirrels.
With regard to birds, the smaller species will take care of themselves if
bird-catching be strictly prohibited ; and there will always be plenty
of summer migrants, such as blackcaps, garden warblers, nightingales,
Whitethroats, shrikes and flycatchers, if the underwood in the forest
glades is left sufficiently in a wild, untrimmed, and natural condition to
afford proper shelter and convenient nesting-places.
The birds which stand most in need of protection (if the scheme which
is contemplated is to be carried out) are those woodland species which
hitherto have met with the greatest persecution at the hands of game-
keepers—the kestrel, tawny owl, barn owl, carrion crow, magpie, jay, and
green woodpecker. All of these are most attractive in appearance, and
the three first-named extremely useful in keeping down rats and mice,
which not only do much damage in plantations, but consume an immense
quantity of pheasants' food.
In districts whore game is strictly preserved, crows and jays are un-
doubtedly destructive, from their partiality for eggs, which they systema-
tically hunt for and suck. Within the area of Epping Forest, however,
where game-preserving is not carried on to any great extent, this argument
against their protection loses weight; and should they at any time become
too numerous, their numbers may always be thinned by judicious
trapping.
In conclusion it may be observed that the scheme now proposed by the
Essex Field Club, to restore the district of Epping Forest as much as
possible to a state of nature, can only be carried out by resolute efforts on
the part of the Conservators, and by the hearty co-operation and goodwill
of landowners resident in the neighbourhood. If they will use their best
endeavours to prevent the felling of timber, the clearing of underwood,
and the formation of made roads, and will prohibit shooting between the
first of February and the first of September, they will in due course have
the satisfaction of seeing around them many beautiful forest birds and
wild animals which have long been strangers to the neighbourhood, and
will thus contribute in no small degree to the pleasure which hundreds
will derive when enjoying a summer ramble through what still remains of
the ancient forest of Essex.
IV.
The Conservation of Epping Forest from the Naturalists'
Standpoint.*
By Raphael Meldola, F.R.A.S., F.C.S., &c, Vice-President.
The great expanse of primitive woodland in the immediate neighbour-
hood of East London declared "open" to the public on May 5th, 1882,
by Her Majesty the Queen, should be regarded as one of the numerous
bequests to posterity marking the enlightenment of our times. The
feelings leading to the agitation for the preservation of open spaces in
and around the metropolis are sure indications on the part of the public
* This paper, read before the Club at the meeting on February 24th, 1883, and
published in 'Nature,' vol. 27, p. 447, is reprinted here as giving a fair summary of
the arguments in favour of the preservation of the natural features of Epping Forest
in accordance with the Act of Parliament.—Ed.