14 Proceedings. 



state above-mentioned were observed on the mud at the 

 bottom of the water. In a part where the Forest consisted 

 of somewhat larger trees, the song of the Redstart was heard, 

 and the bird was presently seen perched among the uppermost 

 twigs of a tree, uttering again and again the same short but 

 sweet series of notes. This is an uncommon species in our 

 district. We soon after came upon oue of the Hammer ponds 

 so characteristic of the Forest country, recalling the days 

 long since when h'on smelting formed one of the industries of 

 Sussex. The contrast to such a pursuit now exhibited by the 

 solitude and silence of this spot is as great as can well be 

 imagined. Following up the course of the little stream 

 supplying the pond for about three-quarters of a mile, another 

 secluded pond also closely surrounded by the woods was 

 reached. On this were a Wild Duck and her young, downy 

 brood, and we were also surprised to see a Canada Goose 

 swimming on it. It was supposed that this bird must have 

 wandered from the water near the house of Mr. Nix, a mile 

 away. A Heron was seen flying over. In the keeper's 

 collections of dead animals and birds hung from branches in 

 different parts of the Forest were found two Hooded Crows, 

 one of which did not seem to have been killed much more than 

 a week, the other possibly a month or more. These are birds 

 not often seen in our immediate neighbourhood, though 

 perhaps they may be met with by the keepers in the well- 

 wooded Forest districts oftener than we suppose during the 

 winter months. The rather monotonous and not very musical 

 song of the Wood Wren was frequently heard during the day, 

 and it seems to be a very plentiful species in the Forest. 

 The cooing of tlie Turtle Dove was also constantly heard. 

 Among the plants found in flower during the day were the 

 Lesser Periwinkle [Vinca viinor), the Marsh Violet {Viola 

 palmtris), the Red Currant (Ribes rubra), Orobiis tuberosiis, &c. 

 Poli/ponts betulinns was found growing on a Birch-tree, and 

 Poli/porus nigricans, with its hard woody black pileus margined 

 with a zone of grey, was also met with. The route was con- 

 tinued to Three Bridges Station, to which the party returned 

 in three separate detachments. Those who travelled by the 



