THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
189
a fete day in the town, and all vehicles being otherwise engaged) the
visitors were compelled, after vainly waiting for an hour, to walk the three
miles to the Forest, which was only reached at 2.30 o'clock, long after
the appointed time to meet our conductor, Mr. Gerald Buxton, who had
been obliged to return home to fulfil another engagement: Mr. Geoffrey
Dent had, however, awaited our arrival, and so, with Miss G. Lister and
him as our leaders, we were sufficiently provided with guides.
The route traversed through the Forest was substantially that followed
on the previous occasion, and readers may be referred to the fuller account
then given (see Essex Naturalist, xxi., p. 87) for a description of the
Forest and the plants noted. Some additional records were, however,
made on the present visit; OEnanthe fistulosa was growing numerously in
ditches, the Marsh Orchis (O. latifolia), Spotted Orchis (O. maculata),
O. pyramidalis, and one specimen of the Butterfly Orchis (Habenaria, sp.
probably chlorantha) were observed, Mistletoe (Viscum album) was seen
growing on Hawthorn, and "Good King Henry" (Chenopodium bonus-
Henricus), Ranunculus circinatus, Blysmus compressus, and many Carices
were added to last year's list.
The almost total absence of Birch trees and Bracken, which are so
common in Epping Forest, is attributable to the heavy soil (Chalky Boulder
Clay).
With regard to the trees, of which so many fine examples occur, it is
hoped that a census of the less common varieties will be taken and a
descriptive list of them made available in the not-distant future.
We were told that all the trees in the southern half of the Forest,
which were to be felled, have now been felled, so that we know the worst;
but towards the northern edge many fine large oaks and elms are doomed.
It is evident that a hawthorn-scrub is in process of formation hereabouts.
Some forty-two species of birds were noted during the day. In the
Forest itself Sedge Warbler, nesting Redstarts, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch,
Tree Pipit, Sand Martin (these nest in some sandpits near), Peewit,
nesting Snipe, Dabchick, Coot, and Moorhen (the last three with young
broods) were observed, and in the neighbouring open country Magpie
and Heron were seen. Canada Geese (true wildlings now!) were on
the Forest lake.
A pupal cocoon of the Sallow Kitten Moth (Cerura furcula), from which
the moth had emerged, was found beneath the loose bark of a willow.
Tea was taken in an outbuilding of the Forest Lodge, in a former
game shed, where the thousands of nails, symmetrically driven into the
roof-rafters to support the game at the yearly shoot, attracted curious
comment. Before leaving, an inspection was made of the repairs to the
interior of the Forest Lodge, including the unmasking of the old oak
studding, which is now being carried out by Mr. Buxton.
The return journey to Bishop's Stortford, in the absence of the char-a-
banc, was lightened by the kindness of Dr. Baillie and Miss Heath, whose
cars, aided by Mr. Brown's side-car, took the party in relays back to the
town in ample time for the 7.47 o'clock return train to town.