52 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
consideration as a nesting site. The presence of Grey Squirrels, a Nuthatch and
many other birds added interest to the spot and before the party moved on
most of the members were able to get a good view of the Redstarts.
The walk was then continued to Piercing Hill and the golf course was
circled before entering Epping Thicks. Thence the course of the stream was
followed for some distance, thus providing opportunities for the observation
of aquatic life and a visit to a group of logs where Mycetozoa occur in pro-
fusion. Passing near Amesbury Banks, the ponds near by were visited and
members slowly made their way to the Bell Inn for tea at 4.30 p.m.
After the meal a formal meeting of the Club was held and Mr. W. Howard
was elected to the chair.
The following were elected to membership of the Club:
Mrs. R. Payne, of 48 Oak Hill Gardens, Woodford Green.
Mr. G. Davis (junior member), of 56 Altmore Avenue, East Ham, E.6.
Mr. F. E. S. Fowke, of 57, Lichfield Road, East Ham, E.6.
Mr. P. Lowe, of 80 Forest Drive, Theydon Bois.
Mr. J. Peeling, of 53 Templeton Avenue, Chingford, E.4.
Mrs. E. L. Rudge, of 36 Cranbourne Avenue, Wanstead, E.11.
Mr. E. P. Williams, of Warley Lea, Great Warley, Brentwood.
The Chairman then called upon various members to comment on the day's
observations.
Mr. Broughton described and exhibited nymphs of a stone-fly, species of
Limnea, a bug found on rhododendron, Riccia fluitans and Ricciocarpus
natans.
Mrs. Harris and Mr. Pratt spoke of the birds seen during the day. The
species numbered twenty-one and included Reed-Bunting seen at a pond on
Bell Common. A somewhat surprising absentee was the Tree-Pipit.
Mr. Howard said that the list of plants in flower totalled twenty-eight. It
was a late season which fact was contributory to the small number of species
seen. Of especial interest were Ranunculus peltatus Schrank., Oxalis acetosella
L. and Ruscus aculeatus L. There was a virtual absence of flower on Hornbeam
after the profusion reported a year ago.
Mr. Ross spoke of the Mycetozoa found. He said that, in spite of heavy
winter and spring rainfall Reticularia Lycoperdon had only recently appeared,
being a month later than usual. Other species seen were Lycogala epidendrum,
Trichia floriformis (found in such profusion last October and now seen both
weathered and fresh), Hemitrichia Vesparium, Trichia scabra and T, varia.
Chigwell and Rolls Park (934th Meeting)
SUNDAY, 27 MAY 1951
Meeting at Chigwell Station at 11.15 a.m., a party of twenty-four members
followed footpaths in the direction of Abridge. Owing to torrential rain the
previous evening, walking was very heavy and the amount of mud around
stiles sometimes made it preferable to seek alternative ways under or over
barbed wire. For the most part only the more common birds and wild flowers
were noted on the way. One or two ponds provided a good show of Water
Crowfoot.
Lunch was taken behind Home Farm and afterwards the party divided. One
or two small groups elected to spend an hour or two in High Wood in order to
study the birds while others devoted their time to the flora of woodland,
arable land and parkland in the vicinity. Some members obtained permission
to view the interior of Rolls Park mansion the condition of which had unfortu-
nately deteriorated since the visit last year.
About 3 p.m. members were gradually working across the Park to Admiral's
Walk. Here the lilacs were in full bloom and bird song was enjoyable. Even-
tually the party walked into Chigwell village and gathered for tea at "The Old
Barn".