SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
139 
thrush’s nest in the furze bush with three young birds in it, and there was ample 
opportunity to observe how very generous Nature is to young thrushes in the way 
of mouth. Several other nests were found during the ramble, including those of 
the blackbird, chaffinch and robin, all containing eggs in varying numbers. The 
wild flowers viewed included Cowslips, Sle/laria Holostea , Lesser Celandine, Wild 
Arum, Goldilocks, Periwinkle, Red Rattle, Ground Ivy, Herb Benet, Wood 
Spurge, Wood Sorrel, Wild Cherry, and Sloe. Tea was served at “Ye Okie 
Greene Manne ” at Betchworth Heath. Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, F.L.S., 
made a few remarks upon Nature-study, pointing out how much more was to be 
gained by going out into the fields and observing Nature, and then confirming 
what had been seen by reference to books rather than by trusting to book reading 
only ; and stated as a fact that boys and girls in Board Schools who were taken 
out for weekly rambles into the country became much better fitted to battle with 
the world in after life, having learnt to be more observant of things around them. 
He mentioned that it was contemplated to hold a Nature Study Exhibition in 
the Gardens of the Royal Botanic Society, to which he invited all Selbornians, 
and trusted that they would do all in their power, both by their presence and 
help, to make it a great success. 
The company then proceeded on their homeward journey, many nests and 
wild flowers being pointed out by their ever-willing guide, to whom a debt of 
gratitude is due for the energy which he displayed during the afternoon, and 
which tended so much to make the ramble a great success. Photographs of the 
company were taken during the afternoon by Mr. Baker. 
May 2. — Our Field Club assembled at Waldingham Station in spite of the 
heavy forenoon rains, and were well rewarded by a bright afternoon. A turning 
to the left soon led to a field where peppermint was being grown. Here were 
seen the early green leaves of fumitory and some of the small blue speedwell, 
Veronica hedercefolia , with its ivy-shaped leaves. The path led through two 
fields until it reached the ridge of a hill some 500 feet high, along which the 
ramblers sauntered. The pale buds of the white beam showed whitely against 
the brown trunks and branches ; Viburnum Lantana was plentiful and already in 
flower ; the spruce firs were putting forth new leaves, and in some cases were 
tipped with tiny crimson conelets ; but the holly which bordered the wood, 
although full of life, appeared to have had its leaves attacked and stained by 
some insect, whose chrysalis was discovered after examination under the upper 
surface of the leaf. Some eager searchers discovered the blue milkwort, Polygala 
calcarea. Arum maculatum, both with black and white spotted leaves, was 
plentiful ; a few examples of Ranunculus bulbosus were noticed in flower, while 
as we emerged into the road we noticed one bank quite gay with Ranunculus 
auricomus. The party then emerged into and crossed the wide, grassy-bordered 
road leading to Warlingham and entered a common golden with gorse. Here 
the nightingale was heard and seen, although the cold April has made him some- 
what a lingerer this season. Tea was served at the Bull Inn on Chelsham 
Common, after which the party returned to town from Warlingham Station. 
May 9. — In somewhat unpromising weather a dozen Selbornians left Waterloo 
on this Saturday afternoon, eager to renew acquaintance with scenery of which, 
since their visit nearly a year ago, all of them must have had a pleasant reminis- 
cence. By the flower-scented gardens of Clandon enclosing, some of them, old- 
world timber houses, the visitors made their way to the church, in the porch of 
which they sought shelter from the downpour. The wait afforded to some the 
opportunity of inspecting the interior of the edifice, while others noted the 
delicious freshness of the beech, contrasted so strongly against the yew, or 
the primroses that pied the ground between the mounds. By the time Newlands 
Corner was reached the rain had ceased and atmospheric conditions generally had 
so improved that the famous view to be enjoyed therefrom was disclosed to the 
greatest advantage. In a copse near there grew abundance of bluebells: yellow 
gorse in the foreground, blue haze in the distance : it was, in truth, a banquet of 
colour. Nor was the ear less cared for. There were nightingales in all directions 
in fullest song ; larks, too, singing as only wild larks can sing ; merry chaffinches 
uttering their roundelay ; whitethroats of feeble tones, and thrushes with infinite 
variations. A linnet’s nest was cautiously observed, and the hen bird, sitting so 
closely, hardly moved under the tender scrutiny. The return was made through 
