CLASS MAMMALIA.
73
House, in Hainhault Forest, to unharbour a stag. After
drawing the coverts for a short time, a fine old stag
was roused and took a turn round the Forest away for
Packnall Corner, hence to Dagenham, and was taken at
Plaistow." He adds, "Red Deer to be so near the
metropolis, in their wild state, I consider as a singular
circumstance."
Above is a sketch, by Mr. H. A. Cole, of a pair of
antlers of the Red Deer, now in Mr. W. Cole's posses-
sion, and said to have belonged to the last wild Red Deer
killed in Hainault Forest, early in the present century
(see Essex Nat., vol. i., p. 56, foot-note).
Turning to other parts of the county, we find that
Sir John Bramston, of Skreens, Roxwell, gives, in his
Autobiography (Camden Soc, London, 1845, 4to.), an account
of a visit paid by James II. to the Duke of Albemarle at
New Hall, Boreham, for the purpose of hunting the Red
Deer. On May 3rd, 1686, the king arrived in the neigh-
bourhood, and, hearing that the Duke was with the hounds
near Bicknacre Mill, he turned in that direction and pursued
the chase almost as far as Wanstead, the quarry being at last
killed between Romford and Brentwood. The king was
near at the death, and did not reach New Hall until nine
o'clock at night. Nevertheless, he hunted again next day
with renewed vigour, and this time the Deer ran by Broom-
field and Pleshey to the Roothings, and was killed at Hatfield
Broad Oak. Sir John's description of the Roothing country
will answer also to-day: " His Majestie [he says] kept
pretie neere the doggs, though the ditches were broad and
deep, the hedges high, and the way and feilds dirtie and
deepe." (cf. also Essex Nat, vol. iii., p. 193.)
Fortunately, however, we can still say we have wild Red
Deer in the county, for within a few years some have been