ITS ANIMALS 65
movements, it traverses branches and leaps from bough
to bough like the squirrel. " The last killed in Essex
was trapped by Mr. Luffman, at that time keeper to
Mr. Maitland, in April 1853, in one of the Loughton
covers. I observed a living specimen near Ambresbury
Banks on 29th July 1883."—J. S. E. The Rev. W. B.
Daniel, in Rural Sports, published in 1801, says of this
animal—'' Some years since one used to run tame about
the kitchen of the ' Bald Faced Stag' on Epping
Forest."
The Stoat is the next in size to the polecat of the weasel
family, and is of as sanguinary a disposition. Being the
near relative of the arctic ermine it frequently turns
partially white in winter. A pure white specimen has
been killed in the Forest.
The Weasel, the smallest of his tribe, has all the ferocity and
courage of his bigger brethren, and being even more
active in proportion to his size, works havoc among the
lesser birds and animals. I constantly see his tiny rope-
like body arched like a bridge, as he races across my
lawn, intent upon his bloodthirsty work.
Squirrel. Owing to the persecution which this popular
favourite suffered, and the ease with which it was
hunted to death when the trees had been recently pol-
larded and there were few tall branches in which to take
refuge, it had at one time sadly diminished. Since the
branches have been allowed to grow, this animal has
had a chance to escape, and, as was to be expected,
it has recovered the position which its beauty and pretty
manners deserve. As acorns and beech-mast abound,
it need not suffer for want of its winter store.
Otter. Two of these animals were killed by the Lea near
Chingford in 1881. A few years ago one was seen to
cross over the dry ground which separates the largest
pond at Wanstead from the river Roding.
This year (1901) a pack of otter hounds hunted three
or four days on the Lea and Roding and killed three
otters. It is much to be hoped that all riparian owners
will preserve these interesting fishermen.
Water Rats abound in the Ching, and are frequently found
in the Forest ponds.
Dormouse. This pretty little rodent is easily tamed and
made a pet of. In winter he lies in a state of profound
torpor in the middle of a mass of grass, which appears
to have been woven without a seam, and which must be
torn open to find the owner, so that it is difficult to dis-
cover how he finished the fabric after getting inside.
When found in this state he can only be awakened by
baking him in front of the fire. He derives his name
from this enviable capacity for sleep. I believe this to
be the culprit who annually gnaws the heart of the
young shoots of some of my chestnut trees, and litters
the ground with them.
Long-tailed Field Mouse. A beautiful but mischievous little
animal, who is fond of gnawing the bark of young trees
and rooting up bulbs. In the Forest he is in clover
among acorns and beech-mast.