Blackbird. A smaller nest was constructed inside the Blackbird's 

 nest from an old Chaffinch's nest which had been tucked in beside it, 

 and the Flycatchers then successfully reared a family of four. 



2. Wasps were observed busily crawling through a small hole 

 where a knot of wood had come out of the wooden wall of the tool shed. 

 This seemed strange as there was a large opening just below. It was 

 then discovered that the wasps were making a very large nest. On 

 completion a small porch was built over the entrance to the nest on the 

 outside of the shed. The wasps were observed fertilising a cut spray 

 of Epipactis violaceae Bor. which had been brought in from some distance 

 away. 



D. M. Elwin, Lyminge. 



EXCURSIONS 



T^XCURSIONS of 1956 were to centres dealing with scientific develop- 

 ^-^ ments and travel. As numbers were limited seats were allocated in 

 the order of application. 



In June we visited Pfizers (Sandwich). On arrival members were 

 welcomed, then followed guides through the works. Details may not 

 be given but we learned that their scientists are employed in discovering 

 new drugs and their uses in combatting diseases. 



The tour ended and all were entertained to tea. On the return 

 journey a halt was made at Deal. 



The Kent Oil Refinery on the Isle of Grain was visited in July. 

 Owned by the British Petroleum Co., it is the largest of their major 

 refineries in the United Kingdom. 



To the surveyors the marsh and river offered possibilities which 

 justified the spending of millions. Work started in 1950, by 1953 

 twenty five acres of marshland had been reclaimed and the Refinery's 

 distillation unit was working. Each year ocean-going tankers bring in 

 four million tons of crude oil. 



In the laboratories chemists experiment in seeking new ways of 

 improving the refining processes and of maintaining efficiency. Finally 

 the oil is stored in huge containers previous to being distributed by ship 

 or road tanker. 



Fresh plant is being laid down, land reclaimed from the sea, but 

 space forbids further comment so we thank B.P. for their generous 

 hospitality and our guide for his interesting account of the works. 



m 



