282 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
to be the work of a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren. Internally, it has
suffered little alteration and most of the rooms still contain their original
wood panelling. The beautiful entrance porch, some Flemish tiling in
the dairy and some early 19th century samplers in one of the bedrooms
were noted with interest. Subsequently the party reassembled in the
walled-in garden, where, before leaving, Mr. Salmon, on behalf of those
present, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Sturges for their kindness.
On leaving the Hall, the party proceeded to the neighbouring church
of Saints Helen and Giles, where Mr. Salmon gave a detailed description
of this very attractive Norman building. The beautiful work of the
priest's doorway and of the chancel arch and the graffito carving of a boat
(c. 1400) in the rood loft staircase attracted particular attention.
Tea was served at the Broadway Cafe at 4 o'clock, after which about
half the party set off to walk along the road to the Thames at Rainham
Ferry, just over a mile distant. The mild, sunny weather was favourable,
to the study of bird life and Mr. Ward noted 18 species of birds, including
Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Lapwing,
Redshank, Blackheaded Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull and Moorhens
From the river wall members had a good view of the Thames and its
shipping and industrial life, and then returned to Rainham to catch
trains and buses homewards after a most enjoyable afternoon.
[Report by Mr. J. Salmon.]
THE 772ND ORDINARY MEETING AND THE ANNUAL
MEETING (773RD MEETING).
SATURDAY, 20TH MARCH, 1937.
These meetings were held at 3 o'clock on the above date in the Physics
Lecture Theatre of the Municipal College, Romford Road, Stratford, with
the President, Mr. John Ramsbottom, O.B.E., Sec.L.S., etc., in the chair.
31 members attended.
The Ordinary Meeting was held first.
Mr. Scourfield exhibited, under microscopes, living specimens of the
rotiferon, Hydatina senta and of Cyclops bicuspidatus var. lubbocki, both
from a marsh-ditch at Rainham.
The Curator exhibited 38 watercolour views and prints of Essex from
the Pictorial Survey collection, selected to illustrate places proposed to be
visited by the Club during the summer.
He also exhibited eight specimen drawers from a large collection of
British birds-eggs, contained in three mahogany cabinets and accompanied
by an explanatory list, recently presented to the Stratford Museum by our
member, Mr. J. H. Owen. The President suggested that a special vote of
thanks was due to the donor for so munificent a gift : accordingly, Miss
Lister moved, with Mr. Glegg as seconder, that the Club's appreciative
thanks be tendered to Mr. Owen, both proposer and seconder eulogizing
his long-continued and detailed observations on the life-histories of various
birds. The motion was carried nem con.
The business of the Annual Meeting followed.
After the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting had been taken as read,