150 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
The afternoon passed all too quickly and it was with reluctance that the,
members left the maze of reservoirs by the "Ferry Boat" gate and went their
several ways home.
Some 30 wild flowers were recorded during the day.
The Club is indebted to the Metropolitan Water Board for permission to
visit the reservoirs and to Mr. Bernard Ward for completing the arrangements
for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
RAMBLE IN THE EPPING DISTRICT (887th Meeting)
SUNDAY, MAY 9TH, 1948
The weather was warm and sunny when 22 members and friends met at
Epping at 11 a.m. for a ramble intended mainly for the study of bird-song.
By permission of Mr. A. J. Silley, the party first visited the grounds
of Theydon Grove. Here amid beautiful surroundings members wandered
at will and the songs of many birds were heard. Among the ornamental
trees a fine specimen with fluted trunk was particularly admired and a
specimen was taken for identification.
The walk was then continued to Coopersale Street and thence, by per-
mission of Major N. A. Chisenhale-Marsh, through Gaynes Park to Gernon
Bushes. Here a halt of an hour was made so that lunch could be taken and
the opportunity was used to examine the interesting flora of a nearby bog.
Nearby a specimen of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly was captured,
identified and released as being only too uncommon in the district.
Wintry Wood was next visited and the old stump road (once the main
road to London) was traversed. True to its reputation as a place of great
richness in wild life. Wintry Wood resounded with the songs of many Black-
caps and here also two Garden Warblers and several Nightingales were heard
—the last being watched for a considerable time at close quarters.
While crossing Epping Plain the extensive young Oak wood was noted
with appreciation and the party (depleted by five members who had had to
leave after lunch) then adjourned to the Epping Tea Gardens for a tea which
had by now become an objective of major importance. After the meal Mr.
J. Ross was elected to the chair and a formal meeting took place at which the
following were elected to membership:—
Mrs. Holly Coles, of 5, Brambledown, Crouch Hill, London, N.4.
Mr. D. W. Barker, M.P.S., of 34, St. Botolph's Street, Colchester.
The name of one candidate for membership was read and, on behalf of
those present, the Chairman thanked Mr. Pratt for arranging and leading
the ramble.
The following birds were recorded during the day : Carrion-crow, Rook,
Jackdaw, Magpie (one), Starling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Tree-
Pipit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal-Tit, Chiffchaff, Willow-Warbler, Garden-
Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Mistle-Thrush, Song-
Thrush, Blackbird, Nightingale, Robin, Swallow, Great Spotted Wood-
pecker, Cuckoo, Pheasant.
Some 69 wild flowers were noted, the more interesting of these being
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), White Beam [Pyrus Aria), Buckbean
(Menyanthes trifoliata), and Yellow Archangel (Lamium Galeobdolon).
VISIT TO A CHALK QUARRY AT GRAYS (888th Meeting)
SATURDAY, MAY 22ND, 1948
On this date a small party of members paid an afternoon visit to one of
the older quarries of the Grays Chalk Quarries Company. Mr. Horace
Judd, the quarry manager, kindly acted as guide and explained some of the
special features.