FIELD TRIPS OF THE CLUB 



Field Trip of Sunday, April 24, to Hunters Island 



About fifteen members and guests made the trip. The route 

 lay along the high road until after crossing East Chester Creek 

 bridge. There it followed the bridle paths skirting the shore. On all 

 sides were evidence of advancing spring and many small plants of 

 the various species of Golden Rods and Asters were noticed as well 

 as wood betony, agrimony, burdocks, curly dock, and jewel weed. 

 Also many clumps of the delicate green foliage of the day lily, 

 Hamerocallis fulva, were seen. Spice bush was in full bloom mak- 

 ing great thickets of feathery yellow. The flowers in bloom were : 

 grape hyacinth, Muscaria Botryoides; dutchman's breeches, Di- 

 centra Cucullaria; spring beauty, Claytonia virginica; crinkle root, 

 Dentaria diphylla; colt's foot, Tussilago Farfara. 



Much equisetum, both fertile and sterile fronds. All of these 

 were scarce compared with what they were thirty years ago. Many 

 other flowers that were perfectly familiar to the writer, who lived 

 in the vicinity when she was a child were missing. One thing that 

 interested the party was the sight of a loon disporting itself in the 

 water about fifty feet off shore. It seemed quite tame and not at all 

 distressed by the boats and people near by. The party watched it for 

 a half hour diving and swimming under water for thirty seconds, 

 its passage marked by a dark agitated streak, then rising on its tail, 

 while spreading its curved wings and uttering softly its peculiar 

 cry. When the party broke up some returned by the subway, as 

 they had come, and others by the longer route of the Split Rock 

 road and W. and B. R. R. 



' The party was glad to observe that there are at present no evi- 

 dences of preparation for turning Hunters Island into a popular 

 playground and bathing beach, as rumors threatened last year. 

 Perhaps there are some brighter aspects in a shortage of municipal 

 funds. 



Zaida Nicholson 



Trip of April 30 



Six members made the Saturday afternoon trip to Montville, 

 New Jersey. The early spring flowers were at their height of 



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