REPORTS OF MEETINGS 309
Spotted Woodpecker was studied while Mrs. Upton demonstrated the tech-
nique of "hide" photography being done on this site.
Traversing the magnificent shrubberies of the Hall, the party arrived at
the lake ; opening the boat-house door was the signal for a family of Little
Grebes to take to the water in all directions. Retiring to a respectful distance,
members were able to watch a parent-bird rescue the young birds by carrying
them to the nest on her back.
What is this life if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
W. H. DAVIES.
A Grass Snake was seen by the lake, but it evaded capture. Swallows,
Swifts, and House Martins were numerous at this point.
On the way back to Margaretting a stoat was observed crossing the road.
After an excellent tea at the "Black Bull", Mr. William Howard was
elected Chairman and a short meeting was held.
The following were elected to membership:
Mr. Dennis B. Lindsey, of 37, Warren Road, Leyton, E.10.
Mr. William Jolley, of 22, Cranham Road, Romford.
Mr. Howard spoke of the botany of the woods examined, and Mrs.
Upton made a few remarks on the birds seen and unseen during the day,
and the problems of the Grey Squirrel.
A very hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Upton was proposed from the chair
and carried amid acclamation.
Mrs. Harris reports that twenty-five species of birds were seen, including
Cuckoo, Tree-Pipit, Turtle Dove, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, and Spotted Fly-
catcher. The songs of seven others including Nightingale, Willow-Warbler,
Garden-Warbler, Blackcap, and Chiffchaff were heard, and the nests of ten
species including that of the Sparrow-Hawk were seen.
Mr. Howard reports that of the eighty species of plants found in flower
among the most interesting were Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus L.),
Bitter-Cress (Cardamine amara L.), Thalecress (Arabidopsis thaliana L.),
Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus L.), Mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris L.),
Yellow Archangel (Galeobdolon luteum Huds.), and Knawel (Scleranthus
annuus L.).
Among the plants seen which were not in flower the most unexpected was
one of Monkshood (Aconitum anglicum Stapf.), which was seen growing
in the broad grass verge by a roadside. This plant was at a considerable
distance from any dwelling or garden, but was probably an "escape".
Rivenhall and Kelvedon (923rd Meeting)
SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 1950
For reasons of accommodation, the number of members attending this
meeting had to be limited to twenty-five. Meeting at Witham Station at
11.15 the party entered a motor-coach and was taken to the entrance to
Rivenhall Place. Here Lt.-Col. Solly welcomed the members and indicated
the area which would be available for their investigation. He said that, if
possible, he would welcome confirmation of the breeding of Snipe in the area.
During the ensuing four hours, the party wandered, at will, through the
grounds of Rivenhall Place and the nearby gravel pit, permission for the
exploration having been kindly granted by the respective owners.
One of the most interesting sights was a Lime tree which bore hundreds
of plants of Mistletoe of extreme variation in size and apparent age. Also
near by was seen a large number of plants of Belladonna.
The time soon passed in such interesting surroundings, and the coach
then took the party to Kelvedon, where the members were welcomed to the
home of Lt.-Col. Solly and Mrs. T. H. Solly. Here our hosts very kindly