THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
219
however, proved to be the final spasm of a tempestuous morning, and
henceforward the weather was kinder, although sharp rain set in later
in the day.
The route was by way of the Earls Path and past Highbeach Church
to Wallsgrove House, at Highbeach, the residence of our member, Lieut.-
Colonel Edward North Buxton, who had kindly invited the Club to
inspect his garden on the occasion. Col. Buxton himself was away from
home, and his gardener conducted the party around the grounds, which
included ten acres of lawn. The garden is formed by a flat tableland of
high-level gravel overlying the Bagshot Beds, and from it the ground
falls sharply in all directions to the west, south and south-east, affording
fine long-distance views of Kent, Surrey (with the Crystal Palace), London
(with St. Paul's), Middlesex and Hertfordshire. The visitors were much
interested in identifying the various landmarks, known or unknown,
pointed out by our conductor. Waltham Abbey tower was a specially
attractive landmark.
From here, the route lay along the western margin of the Forest,
along the Verderer's Path, from time to time glorious glimpses being
obtained of the Lea Valley and the high ground of Hertfordshire beyond.
At Woodridden, the private road across the fields to Upshire was followed.
But few flowers were noticed during the walk, the season being an
unusually late one. The bright yellow catkins of the Dwarf Willow
(Salix repens) enlivened the heathy ground and a few of those of the
larger Salix caprea were still in evidence. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
was seen sparingly in flower, and catkins of the hornbeam were just
elongating. A curious effect was produced in one field by many scores,
or even hundreds, of young Horsetails (Equisetum arvense), some three
inches high, emerging from the damp ground.
Not many returning bird-migrants were yet to be heard or seen.
Willow Warbler was heard and a bird with a reddish tail, just glimpsed
as it flew across a Forest path, was almost certainly a nightingale. Great
Spotted Woodpecker was heard tapping, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Missel
and Song Thrush, Jackdaw, Jay and Tits were noted, but the weather
was unfavourable for much bird-activitiy.
Arrived at Upshire, the charming little modern church of St. Thomas,
built by the late Sir T. Fowell Buxton, was first inspected, and here the
Hon. Secretary pointed out one or two salient features, drawing especial
attention to the exposed timber supports of the belfry, so familiar in many
of our mediaeval Essex churches, and to the oak arcade between the nave
and north aisle, a feature reminiscent of the churches of Shenfield and
Theydon Garnon.
In the church, the party was joined by Lord Noel-Buxton and his
sister and Major W. M. Crowdy, and other points of interest were inspected,
Lord Noel-Buxton directing attention to the beautiful carved and painted
oak tablet in the Chancel to members of his family.
At 4.30 o'clock, the visitors crossed the road to the Upshire Village
Hall, where they were entertained at tea by Lord Noel-Buxton. Our
host gave a short account of the birds which frequented his garden at
Upshire Bury. He said that only that morning he had seen a Kingfisher
by his pond, that herons occasionally paid a visit to it, and that last year