REPORTS OF MEETINGS
227
Mr. Ross led members to several sites of special botanical interest around
Cuckoo Pits and a pause was made on Almshouse Plain where it was possible
to make a more detailed study of the area. Energetic action by a fine buck
Fallow Deer evading the attentions of some small boys was noted, particularly
by one member who had a view of the deer at a range of some few inches !
Proceeding in a leisurely manner through the pleasantly warm afternoon
the party reached the Duke of Wellington Inn at High Beach where twenty-
seven sat down to tea. After the meal the usual formal meeting was held
with Mr. W. Howard in the chair.
The following were elected to membership of the Club :
Col. J. Chappell, a Verderer of Epping Forest, of 24, Hillcrest Road,
Loughton.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hook, Debden House, Debden Green, Loughton.
A number of Lepidoptera and other insects taken during the day was
exhibited and described by Mr. E. B. Pinniger.
Forty-three plants in flower were recorded during the ramble including
the following: Celandine (Chelidonium majus), Needle Whin (Genista
anglica), Creeping Tormentil (Potentilla procumbens), Cardamine flexuosa
and Goldilocks (Ranunculus auricomus).
Stanford Rivers to Toothill (905th Meeting)
SUNDAY, MAY 22ND, 1949
Sixteen members assembled at Ongar Station at 11.15 a.m. and travelled
in cars to the southern end of Berwick Lane. From this point the party
walked along the lane and visited two or three small woods on the way to
Toothill. The day was warm and sunny with a cool breeze and the woods
were found to be unusually dry for the time of year.
Lunch was taken in the first wood to be visited where many birds, in-
cluding several Nightingales and Garden-Warblers, were in full song. The
Nightingale's habit of allowing a number of people to approach within a
few feet of where it sang concealed in the bushes was very clearly demon-
strated here. The outstanding flower of the day proved to be the Red
Campion which was everywhere in full perfection and provided many a
fine picture along the lanes and in the woods. Its variation in colour
from the deepest reds to a specimen of almost pure white was specially
noted.
In the second wood to be visited the song of the Lesser Whitethroat
was well heard and appreciated as the song of a bird which was thought
to be scarcer than usual this year. Two victims of the keeper's gun were
seen hanging to a rail, one a Stoat and the other a Weasel. Though the
animals were in a somewhat damaged condition, the sight gave a useful
opportunity of demonstrating the differences between the two species. The
insects most conspicuous were the Orange-Tip Butterfly and the Wasp
Beetle. The former was seen in good numbers and in fresh condition along
every lane and the latter was encountered in every wood, as many as four
specimens being seen on one tree stump.
At Toothill Post Office a very good tea was provided on a private lawn
of the well-kept garden and it was with delight that the teapots were found
to be of ample capacity and well provided with refills of hot water. At the
conclusion of the meal Mr. Waller was elected to the chair and a short formal
meeting was held.
Mrs. E. J. Foster, of 31, Hillcrest Road, Loughton, was elected to member-
ship of the Club and the names of two candidates for membership were read
for the first time.
Mr. Bernard Ward gave a short commentary on the birds seen during