64
EPPING FOREST
on the Hill Hall estate twenty years ago, and another
more recently. They had not been seen for many years
in the Forest until 1886, when I introduced several
pairs, which have done well. They occupy a large
"holt" in Loughton Manor, and are extending it every
year. They draw out astonishing mounds of soil from
the holes, and their underground township must be very
roomy. They are tenants in common with the foxes.
Indeed, it is an old fox-earth. Rabbits also occupy a
portion. Though they generally live in harmony, I fear
that the badger is occasionally guilty of the heinous crime
of vulpicide. Both in 1896 and 1897 cub foxes were
found mangled by them outside these earths. The
badgers are not easy to see, being nocturnal in their
habits, but the patient observer, who sits perfectly still
outside their earths on a moonlight night, may be re-
warded by a glimpse of them.
STOAT.
The Fox, the largest of our Forest beasts of prey, is wel-
come here to such pheasants and rabbits as he can
catch. He does not often show himself, and the
hounds do not trouble him more than once or twice
in the season, nor does he yield them many trophies.
They are often found sleeping in the daytime in the
crown of some oak pollard. Several litters of cubs
are annually produced in the deep earths near Monk
Wood.
The Polecat was not uncommon in this district thirty years
ago. As he preys on all other animals which he can
catch, whether fur or feather, the gamekeeper preys
upon him. He is consequently now rare if not extinct.
As there is no game preservation, in the ordinary sense,
in Epping Forest, but both the game and their natural
enemies are equally welcomed, I hope that the polecat
will return and multiply.
The Marten, which is closely allied to, but larger than the
last-named animal, was till recently believed by some
still to exist in the Forest. It frequents woods and lies
in the hollows of old stems. Extremely agile in its