94 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
At Gooshays, the fine Barn was viewed by permission and several
litters of fine young porkers evoked enthusiasm, especially among the
ladies of the party.
Arrived at South Weald, the visitors entered the fine, though some-
what over-restored, church of St. Peter and spent some time in examining
the recently rediscovered brasses, which have been carefully mounted
on stone slabs and secured to the west wall of the north aisle. A marble
tablet on the wall of the Tower to a former vicar, records that "he went to
"bed in perfect health, October 11th, 1823, and was found a Corpse on
"Sunday morning."
South Weald Park was entered and here a herd of deer was seen at a
distance. On the lake in the Park a Great Crested Grebe was observed
and the first Swallows were hawking over the water.
Tea was taken at 430 o'clock at the Tower Arms Hotel, following
which, the President thanked our lady conductors, in the name of the
party, for their services in arranging so pleasant a ramble.
A further mile walk by lane and field path brought the visitors to
Brook Street, at the foot of Brentwood hill, where conveyances were
available for the homeward journey.
During the entire ramble, wild-flowers, not as yet abundant, were
noted, thirty species being recorded, of which the more interesting were
Sisymbrium Thaliana, seen growing abundantly on a wall top at Gooshays,
Viola Reichenbachiana, Stellaria Holostea, Primula veris, Veronica hederi-
folia and Luzula campestris.
The ornithologists of the party kept a keen look-out for birds, Willow
Warbler, Peewit, Jay, Skylark and Missel Thrush being among those seen
or heard: but the cold wind was not conducive to bird-activity.
Hybernated specimens of Brimstone Butterfly and Small Tortoiseshell
Butterfly were noticed, and Mr. Main was successfully hunting for insect-
larvae under the loose bark of trees, one of his finds being the larvae of the
Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa).
VISIT TO STEEPLE BUMPSTEAD, BIRDBROOK AND
WIMBISH (745TH MEETING).
SATURDAY, 18TH MAY, 1935.
An interesting visit to the extreme north of the County was enjoyed by a
party of 53 members and friends on the above date, the meeting being
organised and conducted by our newly-appointed Honorary Excursions
Secretary, Mr. John Salmon.
Arrived in the village of Steeple Bumpstead at about 11.45 o'clock,
after a long drive down from town by motor coaches or private cars, the
party first inspected the small brick cage and the picturesque half-timbered
Guildhall, surmounted by a carved stone lion and coat of arms, now used
as a, branch of the County Library.
Leaving the village, the party proceeded along a tree-shaded Drive
(a public right-of-way) to Moyns Park, where, at the Entrance to the
Hall, the owner, Mr. J. P. Walker, received his visitors and conducted the
party through the principal apartments of this fine 15th century mansion.
After an interval for lunch, which was taken, by our host's kind permission,