134
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
He then read the names of those nominated at the February meeting as
Officers and as members of Council. All were declared elected.
The President then delivered his address "Notes on our Social Wasps".
He illustrated the lecture with a number of photographic lantern slides and
on conclusion expressed his readiness to answer questions on the subject.
Several members took advantage of the opportunity to raise interesting points
which were dealt with by the President.
Mr. Harley then thanked the President for his address on behalf of those
present and asked that, if possible, the material should be made available for
publication in The Essex Naturalist.
Members then went down to tea.
Spring Meeting in Epping Forest (1,007th Meeting)
SUNDAY, 28 APRIL, 1957
A party of members met at Loughton Garage for a walk through the
Forest in order mainly to study bird song.
The first stop was in the vicinity of Goldings Hill Ponds where it was
found that a disappointingly small number of birds were in song. Some
time, however, was spent here and the opportunity was taken to acquaint
some of the less well versed members with the songs of some common species
and this object was kept in mind as we walked by Baldwins Pond and along
the Clay Path to High Beach.
In a glade on the northerly slopes lunch was taken and during the break
a Nuthatch was heard and seen frequently. Afterwards the walk was resumed
to Woodredon Farm. Along the private road past Woodredon opportunity
occurred to see some of the birds of open farmland and when the party
reached the green lane at Woodredon Whitethroats were in evidence in the
hedgerows. Eventually the road was gained at Wood Green, several more
members in cars were encountered and the whole party proceeded to the
Woodbine Inn for tea. While waiting for the meal to be served several
members walked across the road into the Forest where in the thicket was
singing the first Nightingale heard during the day.
After tea a short informal meeting was held and Mr. Geoffrey V. P. Sewell,
f.r.e.s., F.z.s., of A.M.Q.7, R.A.F., Hornchurch, was elected to membership
of the Club.
South Essex Cryptogamic Excursion (1,008th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 18 MAY, 1957
This excursion, in which nineteen members took part, was arranged for
the study of bryophytes and lichens.
The first collecting place was Hart's Wood near Brentwood where, after
a short introductory talk by Mr. Pettifer on the life-history and classification
of Bryophyta, twenty-four species (a list of which is appended) were collected
during an hour's walk through the rather open wood consisting mainly of birch,
sessile oak and sweet chestnut. Lichens were poorly developed except the grey-
green crustaceous Lecanora conizaeoides Nyl. ex Cromb., a species found on
tree-trunks and palings which is tolerant of considerable atmospheric pollution;
Cladonia coniocraea Flk. was found on a decaying stump.
Before returning to the coach, the party made a short sortie into Thorn-
don Park where the mosses Tortula muralis Hedw., Ceratodon purpureus