18 EARLY ANNALS OF ORNITHOLOGY 
Turning to animals other than birds, we have the best 
proof that the Romans had the Fallow Deer in this country, 
which they are credited with having introduced. They were 
not great hunters by nature, but there is evidence of their 
chasing the wild Red Deer with dogs. According to Cesar’s 
Commentaries there were Hares in England, but the natives 
did not eat them, and they had the same prejudice about the 
Cock and the Goose.* Both Romans and Britons were well 
acquainted with the Wild Boar, which they chased and brought 
to bay, but a Boar in his lair was a dangerous beast for a man 
armed with nothing better than a sword and a spear. About 
1740-48 there was found in a garden in Weardale, Durham, 
a Roman altar of great significance of the hunter’s peril in the 
chase. It was dedicated to the God of the Forests in grati- 
tude by one Tetius Veturius Micianus, a prefect of soldiers, 
who had slain— maybe single-handed—a great Wild Boar 
which had set all previous hunters at defiance. This singu- 
lar relic is recorded by Dr. Taylor in ‘‘ The Philosophical 
Transactions.” f 
The inscription, which is repeated by Mr. T. Birch in 
the ‘“ Gentleman’s Magazine” for 1749, has been looked upon 
as one of much importance and has attracted great attention. 
This sculptured stone is generally referred to by archeologists 
as The Weardale Altar, see Harting “ British Animals 
Extinct within Historic Times ” (p. 78), where an excellent 
account of the Wild Boar is given. 
Sixth and Seventh Centuries. 
References in Saxon Poetry to Birds.—It was not until 
Anno Domini 571 that the Saxons came in force over the 
North Sea, and one of their number assumed the title of 
King. They had with them scribes and minstrels, no doubt 
diligent in their office, whose duty it was to write poems, 
perpetuating in some cases real history, in others acceptable 
legends. It is from this source that we get very carly mention 
of British birds. 
* “De Bell. Gall.” (Lib. V., c. 12), “* Archaeologia,’”’ 1792, p. 164. 
7; No. 486, p. 173. 
$ Vol. XIX., p. 449. 
