226 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
A move was then made to the near by Tithe Barn, a huge timber erection
of eight bays, dating from the 15th century and still in its original state—
a remarkable example of oak carpentry work with kingpost roof and
massive tiebeams, braces and posts.
Lunch was taken at the Cock Inn, itself a rambling old house going
back to the 16th century at least and possibly earlier.
Passing notice was given to two old oak-raftered cottages, formerly
almshouses, flanking the paved approach to the church ; of medieval
date, but refaced in the 18th century with red bricks : a slate panel in
the front is inscribed C B A M, with the date 1708 under.
The visitors then returned to the Church for a detailed inspection of
this large and handsome edifice. Unfortunately, the visit coincided with
a village fete in the vicarage garden, so that the vicar was not able to
receive the party personally as had been hoped. The magnificently
proportioned west tower was ascended by the entire party, and from
its summit a fine and extensive view over the surrounding district was
obtained. The library of old-time theological works housed in a side
chapel was opened for inspection. The recumbent cross-legged stone
effigy of the third Earl of Oxford, of late 13th century date, which formerly
lay in the monks' chancel and which, after long exposure to the weather
and maltreatment after the demolition of the priory church, now lies in
the centre of the chancel, was inspected with interest. The knight is
attired in full chain-mail, with a surcoat over it and bears on his left arm
a heater-shaped shield bearing the De Vere badge and profusely ornamented.
At shortly before 3 o'clock, the vehicles were again requisitioned to
convey the party to Hatfield Forest, which was entered at a point opposite
the "Doodle Oak" inn. Here, Miss Lister, who, as is well-known, is a
member of the local committee, which manages the Forest on behalf of
the National Trust, took charge of the party, and our botanists and other
naturalist members entered into their own, records and collections being
made in the, unfortunately, somewhat limited time remaining for their
pursuits.
Notwithstanding this drawback, diligent search resulted in no fewer
than 132 species of wild flowers being recorded, among the more note-
worthy of which were Nuphar lutea, Silene inflata, Linum catharticum,
Rubus caesius, Cornus sanguinea, Valeriana dioica, Cynoglossum officinale,
Plantago media, Listera ovata, Orchis maculata, and Triglochin palustre,
some of which bear witness to the lime present in the Boulder Clay of the
district. Nine Carices were noted, C. glauca and C. pseudo-cyperus being
among the less common.
The birds were specially noted by Mrs. Boyd Watt, who records a total
of 46 species seen or heard. An interesting spectacle on the lake in
Hatfield Forest was afforded by two families of Coots (one with five red-
headed chicks, the other with older chicks which had lost the red colour).
Moorhen and Mallard were also seen with their broods, and a Canada
Goose with six goslings swam in stately file across the lake before us.
Other interesting birds noted were Kingfisher, Reed Bunting, Sedge
Warbler, Stock Dove, Turtle Dove and Red-backed Shrike.
Tea was taken at 5 o'clock at the "Shell Cottage" by the lake, in the
new open-roofed shelter which has been erected in memory of Mr. E. N.