xxxviii Appendix No. 1.
comfort and the enjoyment of the less robust among the visitors to the
Forest, cleared spaces, which might be utilised as rides and drives, could
be formed. These might lead to some of the most picturesque spots, and
be available for pedestrians and horsemen all the year round, but closed
to carriages throughout the winter season. Beauties might thus be
placed within the reach of many who would otherwise never be able to
see and enjoy them.
In those parts of the Forest which are the most resorted to by mere
pleasure-seekers, on such occasions as bank holidays and gala days gene-
rally, and which have strong undergrowths of Heath, Willow, or any
other highly combustible substances, and where in consequence there is
more than ordinary danger from fires, it may be advisable to have a
cleared belt at no great distance from the public roads, and running as
far as possible fairly parallel with them. If these are once cleared of the
undergrowths only, and the greatest inequalities levelled, so as to make
them available for foot-passengers and equestrians, they will afterwards
be kept bare by constant use.
V. Levelling.—Though there are in some parts unsightly banks, the
remains of former hedgerows, which certainly want levelling and oblite-
rating, there is not much work of this kind required. I would in no way
recommend any interference with the natural ruggedness of the ground,
which in many places is one of its most attractive features. But in some
of the more open spaces which will probably never be planted up—such,
for instance, as that between the "Forest Hotel" and " Connaught Water "
—the ridge and furrow surface, indicative of recent arable cultivation, is
most objectionable, as it tends to divest the mind of the idea that one is
walking across part of an ancient and unimproved forest. I am strongly
of opinion that a week's use of a steam-roller, which could be weighted
according to requirements, running up and down the ridges, and not
across them, would do much towards obliterating these objectionable
traces of the plough.
VI. Animals, &c.—If the present wild denizens of the Forest are to be
retained, and their number and variety are to be largely increased,—" a
consummation devoutly to be wished,"—it must be a great mistake to
open out too freely the thicker portions. At the present time, or with a
little more attention to drainage, abundant opportunities for free circula-
tion in all necessary directions are afforded to the station pedestrian who
enjoys the free use of his limbs. And with the addition of a few fairly
broad green rides, such as have been recommended above as conducive to
the pleasures of the infirm and likely to localise fires, the sooner further
opening out and extensive clearances are stopped the better. Besides the
strict preservation of the fera naturae already found there, and the
encouragement by seed-sowing and otherwise of birds of all kinds,—
especially song-birds,—the formation of a heronry, the introduction of the
Foumart, or Polecat, the multiplication of Wild Duck, Moorfowl, and
every kind of waterbird, seem desirable. The Magpie and Jay should for
the present receive no quarter. And a friend of mine has just detected
a Squirrel in the act of destroying eggs—a fact deeply to be regretted.
With regard to the Heron—this bird, which was at one time considered
to be the noblest quarry of the falconer, and which still affords abundant
sport in many parts of India and in Persia, and the price of which was
specially assessed by the Mayor of London in the time of Edward I., can-
not be unworthy the notice of the present Lord Mayor and Corporation.
No bird is more certain than the Heron to return to the place where it
finds its food abundant; and its naturalisation in Epping Forest ought
not to be a difficult matter. Muddy flats are especially acceptable to it,
if at the same time there is tolerably clear water within reach.