254 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Mr. Glegg reported that 32 birds had been recorded, of which 11 were
migrants ; his list included Nightingale, Blackcap, Redstart, Whitethroat,
Lesser Whitethroat, Martin, Swift, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, and
Heron.
Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Hugh Main reported that insects were scarce,
no doubt owing to the cold wet weather which was experienced throughout
April. Mr. Main called attention to the stridulating power? possessed by
the Common Dor Beetle and its larva"; and demonstrated same by speci-
mens which he had captured that afternoon.
Mr. Paulson said that some 36 species of plants had been noted during
the ramble actually in flower. The rarest form met with was Cerastium
arvense ; some specimens of Arum maculatum were exhibited which well
deserved their specific name, since not only the small leaves but also
the inner surface of the spathes were beautifully maculated with purple.
Mr. Paulson added that a noteworthy find was the lichen. Chaenotheca
melanophaea, var. flavocitrina, found that afternoon on an oak trunk in the
Forest, which had heretofore only been recorded from Herts and on a
single tree in Epping Forest. Mr. Percy Thompson called the attention
of those present to the fact that this rare lichen had been made known to
science in 1917 by the President himself, and that nobody but he seemed
able to find new stations for it.
Votes of thanks were cordially passed to the several conductors and to
Keeper Jones for their services, and the visitors then made their way back
to Grange Hill station for their homeward trains.
VISIT TO DANBURY AND LITTLE BADDOW (517th
MEETING)
Saturday, 29th May, 1920.
This meeting was held in response to a kind invitation from our members,
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Briscoe, to visit them at "The Hoppet," Little Baddow,
the opportunity being taken to explore, chiefly from a botanical point of
view, the beautiful series of commons and woodlands of the Danbury
district. The Conductors were Mr. Briscoe, the President (Mr. R. Paulson),
the Hon. Secretary (Mr. Percy Thompson), and Mr. F. W. Thorrington.
Some thirty members assembled at Chelmsford Railway Station at
10 o'clock, when a private motor omnibus was in attendance to convey
the party to Danbury.
On arrival at Danbury the church was first visited. The present
building dates from the 14th century and contains three of the eight wooden
effigies which the county possesses; they are probably memorials to members
of the St. Clere family. The wooden roof of the northern aisle is an inter-
esting piece of early 15th century work, and has upon it carved wooden
bosses, which seem to be portraits of Richard II. and Henry IV. and
their wives.
The party walked past the remains of the Old Danish Camp on to
Danbury Common; from the Camp a magnificent view southwards, over
the valley of the Crouch to the Rayleigh hills, was enjoyed.
From Danbury Common, by footpaths and bye lanes, Woodham Walter