74 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



brought back from Windsor to re-stock Epping Forest (see 

 W. R. Fisher's Forest of Essex, London, 1887, 4to, p. 220). 

 Professor Flower records (ZooL, 1887, p. 344) the existence of 

 a small herd in Takeley Forest, near Hatfield Broad Oak, 

 the progeny of a single hind lost by the hounds during a 

 chase. A writer in the Zoologist (1888, p. 74) testifies that 

 both Red and Fallow Deer are still existing in Epping Forest. 



We may therefore with justice add this species to our list 

 of the Fauna of Essex, since, with the exception of about 

 fifty years of the present century, Essex has never been with- 

 out wild Red Deer. 



The curious variation of names for the young of the Red 

 Deer, of both sexes, is the subject of an interesting paragraph 

 in Fisher's Forest of Essex (p. 193) ; and Mr. Harting has 

 described (Trans. Essex Field Club, vol. i., p. 80) the growth 

 of antlers which determines the names. Thus the animal is 

 known by the names of a Calf, a Brocket, a Spayad, a Staggard, 

 the fifth year a Stag, and in and after the sixth year, a Hart. 

 But, if he had been hunted by the King he became a Hart 

 Royal, and, if the King, in consideration of the sport given, 

 had proclaimed he was not to be hunted again, he became 

 a Hart Royal Proclaimed. The female, called first a Calf, 

 next a Herst, from the third year onwards is a Hind. 



Some information as to the number of Red Deer now 

 existing in Essex Deer Parks is given under the heading 

 Fallow Deer (infra, p. 76). 



Cervus dama, Linn. FALLOW DEER. 



This animal is probably an introduction into Britain, of 

 which it is not therefore a true native ; but, as it exists in 

 many parks in this county in a semi-domesticated condition, 

 and has been for many centuries truly feral in Epping 

 Forest, we may fairly claim it as an Essex animal. It is by 

 some supposed to have been introduced by the Romans. 



