THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 275
It being now past 7 o'clock, the visitors were obliged reluctantly to
tear themselves away from this charming village, and, the vehicles being
summoned, the homeward journey to London or elsewhere was begun,
after a most enjoyable excursion.
Miss Prince, as usual, acted as recorder for wild flowers and reported
60 species noted during the day: among the more interesting of these
were Ranunculus auricomus (in quantity, filling a deep field-ditch), Caltha
palustris, Fumaria officinalis, Lepidium Draba, Viola arvensis, Stellaria
aquatica, Scandix Pecten- veneris, Primula veris, Vinca maior, Myosotis
collina, Lithospermum arvense and Lamium amplexicaule. Genista
hispanica, an alien, was seen growing in quantity near Faulkbourne
church.
Miss Dofort noted 24 birds, including Whitethroat, Willow Warbler,
Swallow, House Martin, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Cuckoo and Peewit.
RAMBLE IN THE KELVEDON HATCH AND SOUTH
WEALD DISTRICT (806th MEETING).
SATURDAY, 20TH MAY, 1939.
This field meeting was almost wholly designed as an opportunity
for nature study, the customary incidental visits to old churches and
buildings being restricted on this occasion. Mr. William E. Glegg, F.L.S.,
M.B.O.U., undertook the task of recording the birds seen or heard, Mr.
Hugh Main, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., was present to name any insects met with,
and Miss E. Prince was recorder for the wild flowers seen. The route
chosen led through peaceful unspoilt rolling country, abundantly justifying
the love which Essex folk have for their home county.
The party was a small one, of some 28 persons: it assembled, arriving
by devious routes, at 11.45 o'clock at Beacon Hill, a half-mile
or so west of Kelvedon Hatch church, and at once proceeded by lanes and
field-paths across country towards South Weald, visiting on the way the
problematical Camp in Fortification Wood, whose origin is entirely
unknown and of which the Historical Monuments Commission could
only opine that it "appears too strong for a wood boundary and occupies
"a good site for defensive purposes." The views from hereabouts across
the Roding valley, with the spire of Stanford Rivers church showing up
white, were idyllic. Passing Navestockside and Coxtie Green, the route
led across the beautiful Weald Park to South Weald, where, punctually
at 4 o'clock to the minute, the "Tower Arms" Hotel was reached, and
here tea was taken in the pleasant garden.
After tea, with the President in the chair, a short formal meeting of
the Club was held, when two new members were elected, viz.:
Miss Phyllis M. Clark, of The Laurels, Grays Hill, Billericay, and
Mr. Derek H. Gladwyn, of "St. George's," Hainault Road, Chigwell
(junior member).
The President congratulated Mr. Salmon on the careful arrangements
made by him for an enjoyable meeting.