IFlature IRotes: 
^Cbc Selborne Society’s fIDaoasine 
No. 115. 
JULY, 1899. 
VoL. X. 
REPORT OF THE FIELD CLUB FOR 1898 . 
In presenting this Report on the work of the Field Club during the 
past year, the Committee would remind members that excursions were 
arranged for alternate Saturdays only, instead of weekly as heretofore, 
with satisfactory results. 
Fourteen rambles were arranged, and fortunately, the weather was 
such that not one had to be postponed. The average number taking part 
in these walks was fourteen, though on several occasions this figure was 
almost doubled. .Somewhat significantly, the first and last rambles of 
the season were the best attended. 
The gentlemen (nine in number) who gave up their time and made all 
arrangements for the conduct of these parties are entitled to the grateful 
thanks, not only of those members who availed themselves of the oppor- 
tunity, which such rambles afford, for the study of nature, but of the 
-Society as a whole. 
The first ramble of the season was to Northolt, and although this is 
not a new walk — in fact, the same route was traversed about the same 
time in 1897 — yet no excursion attracted a larger number of members. 
-\s this was described in the last Report it is not necessary to dwell upon 
it, except to say that on its return through Perivale Wood the party was 
entertained with a perfect chorus of nightingales. A walk of a very 
different character was that of May 21st, from Woodside Park, by field 
paths across Uollis Brook to Totteridge Green, and thence leaving the 
road by field path again to Mill Hill. The scenery here, though not 
striking, is very pretty and the walk was much enjoyed. A most lovely 
route was that taken by the Club on June 4, from Caterham Valley, 
across the bracken-covered Coulsdon Common to Farthing Down, where 
some old tumuli were inspected and e.xplained. The ramble from 
Theydon Bois to Copt Hall Green, on June i8th, was a revelation to 
those who shared the very prevalent idea that Epping Forest is a 
more or less wooded tract of land overrun with Bank Holiday crowds 
and East End bird-catchers. The route taken on this occasion led 
through a densely-wooded portion of the forest to Ambresbury Banks, 
where the ancient earthworks were viewed. Here also were seen what 
perhaps very few people would ever have expected to find within 
such a short distance of London — the forest deer not enclosed in any 
