Proceedings. 15 



later train spent some time by the large ponds adjoining the 

 station. A Sedge Warbler was here heard uttering its rather 

 harsh grating song, and some Swifts were seen flying over, the 

 first that had yet been seen this season by most of the party. 



Afternoon Excursion to Eanmore Common, May 26th. — 

 Eighteen members and their friends met for this excursion. 

 The wind was N.E., and the sky hazy, not permitting a 

 distant prospect. A part of the time was spent among the 

 wooded parts of the Common, and a visit was also paid to 

 Pickett's Hole, a semicircular hollow or basin in the steep 

 face of the hills, and one of the most beautiful of the many 

 varied valleys and hollows on the slope of the North Downs. 

 A pair of Ked-backed Shrikes were observed near this point, 

 but few other birds or plants of very special interest were met 

 with. Some of the party visited Eanmore Church, which 

 forms so conspicuous a land-mark from many directions. 



Whole-day Excursion to Gomshall, Newlands Corner, and 

 Chilworth, June 9th. — The morning opened very unfavourably, 

 and two members who made an early start and walked to 

 Felday and Hurtwood had a very wet walk. On a Yew-tree 

 by the road-side specimens of Polyporus sulphiirem were found 

 growing, in a very young and soft fleshy stage. A Eedstart 

 was heard singmg in a wood near Felday. The delightfully 

 melodious song of the Garden Warbler was also listened to 

 several times. Towards ten o'clock the rain ceased, the 

 general aspect of the weather improved, and later on the sun 

 came out and shone warmly at intervals during the day, with 

 only an occasional shower. The party, now augmented to 

 five, after spending a little time iu the bog adjoining Gomshall 

 Station, where the Buckbean was in flower in abundance, 

 ascended to the top of the Chalk range, and spent some time 

 among the beautiful country known as Hacker's Down. 

 Specimens of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary were flying about 

 here m immense abundance, greatly enjoying the warm sun 

 after the rain. Other butterflies observed in the course of the 

 day were the Wood Argus and the Painted Lady. A Chiff- 

 chaff was heard, whose song constantly consisted of three 

 notes instead of the usual two, The walk was continued 



