240
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
The Hon. Secretary exhibited seven MS. volumes of botanical notes by
Edward Forster, in which Forster had systematically recorded the plants,
both phanerogams and cryptogams, met with during his many journeys
through various parts of the country. The volumes were now the property
of the Saffron Walden Museum, and the notes had evidently been made use
of by G. S. Gibson, in the preparation of his Flora of Essex.
Thanks were voted to the several exhibitors.
Mr. J. H. Owen then gave interesting lectures on two ornithological sub-
jects :—
(a) "Some Observations on the Great Crested Grebe,"
(b) "Notes on the Use of the Wings and Tail by the Hen Sparrow-
hawk to protect the Nestlings from the Sun,"
showing a large number of excellent lantern photographs, taken by himself,
in illustration of his remarks.
A discussion ensued, and the President expressed the warm thanks of
the meeting to Mr. Owen for his two communications.
MOSS HUNT IN EPPING FOREST (560TH MEETING).
SATURDAY, 17TH MARCH, 1923.
An unexpectedly fine sunny day, following a long period of rainy weather,
tempted over 30 members and friends to join this field-meeting, and justified
the somewhat dubious experiment of an all-day out-door meeting at so
early a date. A cold easterly wind was scarcely felt in the woodlands, and
the route chosen, from east to west, was favourable to its avoidance.
The party assembled at Theydon Bois Station at 10.50 o'clock, and in-
cluded as referees Mr. W. R. Sherrin, Mr. St. John Marriott and other mem-
bers versed in the Bryophytes.
Passing through the village, the Forest was entered at Oak Hill, and
thence the general direction was towards Woodreddon Hill, avoiding roads
and visiting most of the bogs on the way ; thence turning south along the
western side of the Forest to High Beach.
A Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus) was captured alive on a heath near the
Epping New Road, and was liberated after inspection ; a faint white patch
of fur on the crown of its head was noticeable, this partial albinism is not
uncommon in these animals.
The spring-like day had also awakened from its winter torpor a large
Grass Snake, which was seen on the warm western slope below the Verderer's
Path, but successfully evaded attempts at capture.
After tea at the Roserville Retreat at 5 o'clock, a short meeting of the
Club was held, when one candidate was nominated for membership.
The Hon. Secretary made some remarks on the finds of the day ; he an-
nounced that 52 species and 2 varieties of mosses, and 13 hepatics, had been
recorded, the full list being :—
MOSSES.
Sphagnum cymbifolium. (Ehrh.) Polytrichum aloides. (Hedw.)
S. acutifolium. (Russn.) P. piliferum. (Schreb.)
Tetraphis pellucida. (Hedw.) P. juniperinum. (Will'd.)
Catharinea undulata. (Web. and P. formosum. (Hedw.)
Mohr.) P. commune. (L.)