VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 251 
History ’) that this statement, which has been repeatedly copied, 
is without foundation, and that a dark race of Fallow Deer 
existed in England at least two centuries earlier. An old deed, 
dated 1247, quoted in Potter's ‘ History of Charnwood,’ relates to 
the hunting and taking of Deer in Bradgate Forest, and is 
interesting as being the earliest known hunting agreement in 
existence. 
Capreolus caprea, Gray. Roe. — Extinct within historic 
times. This species certainly inhabited Leicestershire in former 
days. The museum contains two basal portions of skulls, 
found at excavations in Leicester. Potter Says, speaking of the 
manor of Roecliff—now written Roecliffe—“It is said to have 
derived its name from the circumstance of its having been a 
‘stocking’ or hunting ground for the Roe in the days of the 
Earls of Leicester.” So late as the early part of the 16th 
century the Priors of Ulverscroft (then called Alwayscroft) ‘ did 
hunt, course, and hawk throughout the waste of Charnwood unto 
the saulte of the Parks of Bradgate, Groby, and Loughborough ; 
that is to say, Fallow Deer, Hoe, Foxes, Hares, &c.” 
Rangifer tarandus, Linn. Reindeer.— Extinct. A few 
limb bones and horns are occasionally found in the Belgrave 
and other “river gravels,” and also in the “ drifts.” The 
remains of this Ungulate clearly date back to pre-historic 
times.* Some good specimens of horns are in the Leicester 
Museum ; one, a very fine specimen, part of a right antler, was 
found April 7th, 1866, in Grafton Place, at a depth of 11 ft. 
in the drift gravel, and presented by Mr. George Holmes. 
A portion of another right antler was found in Hutchinson's 
gravel pit, Belgrave Road, in August, 1878; and a third portion 
in the Abbey Meadow in June, 1880. 
Famity Supa. 
Sus scrofa, Linn. Wild Boar.—Extinct within historic times, 
and formerly inhabited Leicestershire. Several tusks have been 
dug up, pierced for rude ornaments; and the Leicester Museum 
possesses a Roman vase of “ Upchurch” ware, in which were 
found some remarkably fine Boar’s tusks. Wild hogs, according 
to Potter, abounded in the forest of Charnwood. 
* But see art. ‘‘ Reindeer” in Harting’s ‘ Extinct British Animals,’ 
