12
coat of the common. Both common and menil have
white caudal patches which are ringed by black in
the common and brown in the menil. There is no
white patch in the black variety and no black edging
in the white. Fallow have a much longer tail
than the other deer found in Essex, it often being
some 8 inches. In the common it has a black line
down it, which is brown in the menil and non-
existent in the black and white. Fallow males
(bucks) have antlers which, like the red, are
based on a single stem, which
becomes flattened into a
broad palm shape. However,
some bucks, particularly
young ones, occasionally do
not develop much of a palm
and the antler could be
mistaken for that of a young
red stag. Young bucks often
only develop a single spike
in their first head. All
bucks, whether young or old
and at any time of the year,
have a sheath of hair on the
penis. This is known as a
brush and shows clearly in
front of the hind legs. It is more prominent
during the autumn rutting season, but is visible
throughout the year. It is a feature which is
not noticeable to the same extent on the other
species. The bucks do not grow a mane, but the
Adams apple becomes very prominent during the rut.
Both fallow and red are herd animals and whilst
small groups or single animals may be encountered
they frequently live in large groups. Roe and
muntjac do not live in such groups and so if one
sees in excess of 5 deer together they will most
likely be red or fallow.