Proceedings. 18 



years, which were themselves unusually backward. Of the 

 spring migrants, the Willow Wren made its soft pleasing 

 song most frequently heard, but no others, except the Chiff- 

 chaff and Swallow, were noted. From Tilburstow Hill the 

 walk was continued westward to Bletchingley, the road 

 running nearly along the ridge of the Lower Greensand 

 range. Descending the southern side of the hills, lanes and 

 field-paths brought the party down to Nutfield Station; 

 some beautiful views were obtained by the way of the varied 

 and wooded slopes. 



The first whole-day excursion was on May 12th, to Tilgate 

 Forest. The party, consisting of nineteen members and their 

 friends, started from Balcombe Station under the leadership 

 of Mr. A. C. Sterry, and walked northward and then westward 

 to the point where they struck into the woods. The day was 

 simply perfect, the sky absolutely cloudless, with sufficient 

 breeze to make the air fresh and delicious. The song of the 

 Nightingale was frequently heard, and amongst the other sum- 

 mer migrants, the Willow Wren, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 

 Whitethroat, and Tree Pipit contributed their share of music. 

 Before reaching the confines of the Forest the loud cry of the 

 Green Woodpecker was heard, and was repeated incessantly 

 throughout the day in all parts of the Forest, where it seems 

 to be one of the commonest species. The path led through 

 beautiful and varied sylvan scenery : Oak and Birch were 

 among the most abundant trees, the latter being pretty well 

 in leaf, but the former still quite bare of foliage. The party 

 ascended to the elevated ground, under which passes the 

 Balcombe tunnel, whence the view extended over miles of 

 woodland, the delicate green of the young Birch foliage 

 imparting a delightful freshness to the landscape, while in the 

 distance to the north could be seen the long range of the 

 North Downs, with the lower range of the Greensand inter- 

 vening. Stones were observed lying about bearing the im- 

 pression of small worm-like animals or their casts. Other 

 stones showed signs of ripple-marks on their surface. On 

 descending to a srr.all stream in a more open portion of the 

 Forest, small casts very closely resembling those in the fossil 



