Proceedings. 35 



Leith Hill, and more in the distance the South Downs, 

 notably Chanctonbury Eing, fully thirty-five miles distant. 



As we passed up the lane leading towards the Beeches, we 

 could see the Crystal Palace standing up against the horizon 

 to the north. 



A belt of Beech-trees runs along the hill-top before the 

 Long Beech Wood is reached. In one of these Beeches a 

 hole about six feet from the ground had been partly plastered 

 by a pair of Nuthatches. The clay was only round the top 

 part of the hole, the bark of the tree forming the bottom of 

 the circular entrance. The old bird flew near, making its 

 loud, ringing whistle. 



The ground under the Beeches is mostly bare, though a 

 few rather stunted plants of the White Helleborine were 

 found. The curious Yellow-Birds'-nests, parasitical on the 

 Beech-roots, were not above ground at the time of our 

 ramble. 



Coming out again on to the open hill-top we found in a 

 rough, stony field above the Rifle Butts the Blue Pimpernel, 

 a weed of uncertain appearance, much scarcer than the 

 Scarlet Pimpernel, but like it only expanding fully in the 

 sunshine. Both the green, scentless Wild Mignonettes were 

 gathered in the same field, and the Basil Thyme and Marjoram 

 were in bud. 



From the long grass on the verge of the hill a Partridge 

 rose, disclosing sixteen olive-brown eggs, laid in a hollow in 

 the ground. 



In the next field, still going westward, we noticed the long, 

 stringy, red fibres and white, cup-like flowers of the Dodder, 

 growing upon the Clover, and living at the Clover's expense, 

 an unwelcome guest from the farmer's point of view. 



Having reached the chalk lane that leads from Eeigate 

 Heath to Walton Heath, we struck down the hill side for a 

 few yards, passing some large Yew-trees near the top of the 

 lane, and came out on to the open hillside beyond, amongst 

 Juniper bushes. Here we heard the shrill, high, thrilling 

 note of the Grasshopper Warbler, There were two birds, 

 one of which allowed us to get near it as it sang. The 



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