158 
NATURE NOTES 
that one of the objects of the Society was to discourage the wearing of birds and 
their plumage, except when the birds were killed for food or reared for their 
plumage, lie had noticed that some members did not notice that object. A 
hearty vote of thanks was then passed to Colonel and Lady Mary Skrine for their 
hospitality, this concluding the meeting. 
Tea was then served, and subsequently the members of the Society spent a 
very delightful time in rambling over the beautiful grounds of the manor. 
Birmingham and Midland. — The Secretary’s Report for 1902 has been 
published, the statement of accounts in which shows nearly ,£30 received in sub- 
scriptions and a balance of £4 in place of £1 on the wrong side last year. 
Lectures and excursions have been organised, and over 1,400 leaflets distributed 
in connection with the Country Holiday Society. 
FIELD CLUB RAMBLES. 
May 23. — Rickmansworth and neighbourhood. This was an enlarged version 
of the walk which took place on August 30 last year, and was under the same 
efficient leadership, viz., that of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wilson, so that those who 
had attended on the former occasion had the opportunity of renewing acquaintance 
with this favourite district. As before, the path lay first of all across Rickmansworth 
Park, where there was time to pause aw hile and measure with the eye the Spanish 
chestnuts and limes for which the enclosure is famous. The latter, in truth, are 
of phenomenal size, and it is safe to say that most of the visitors had never 
previously viewed specimens covering so great an extent of ground. The greater 
whitethroat was in one continuous chatter, while chaffinches trilled it in merry 
mood, “ sinking” now and then with more or less vigour, according as their nests 
were neared or quitted. Over the fields pewits indulged in aerial evolutions, 
uttering all the time their well-known cries; full of song larks rose against the 
dome of blue ; and in eager flight swallows, martins, and screeching swifts swept 
up and down the vale. Hereabouts a blackbird had so abandoned its family 
traditions as to place its nest, which contained five eggs, under the big leaves of a 
burdock growing among the grass. Pleasant, too, was it to walk by the rippling 
Chess, and upon this occasion there was happily time to visit ancient Chenies — a 
place, it may be confidently asserted, not easily to be surpassed for charms. 
Church, trees, grass, manorial hall, all go to form a perfect setting. In the sacred 
fane the large Russell Chapel with its costly tombs claimed full attention. 
Leaving Chenies, the Selbornians took the path through the woods to Chalfont 
Station. In one of his essays Richard Jefferies wrote that “Where there are 
beech trees the land is always beautiful ; beech and beautiful scenery go together.” 
If his statement had needed confirmation it could easily be confirmed here. It 
was here that the blackcap’s liquid notes were heard to great advantage. By 
Chalfont Station some of the visitors listened in the twilight to the melodies of a 
nightingale, but these were rather marred by the cries of a partridge and the notes 
of a near and insistent thrush 
[une 6. — Hayes and Keston were explored by fourteen members of the Field 
Club. The way led over Hayes Common, where Hieracium Pilosella , with its 
pale, yellow flowers, was found in abundance. Galium saxatile was noticed, and 
both Stellaria Holostea and S. graminea were observed in flower. A fine land- 
scape was enjoyed from Keston corner, and then the party plunged down a steep 
lane to the right, which led between hedges and fields to Keston Church. Among 
the finds in this part of the ramble were Thlaspi arvense and Helianlhemum 
vulgare , while the first wild roses of the season were seen and admired. Again 
turning to the left, after a short climb, the party reached the road and crossed 
Keston Common to the tea rendezvous, having enjoyed fine weather and a pleasant 
ramble. 
Visit to Selborne , June 13. — Gilbert White died at the Wakes on June 26, 
1793, so that the visit of the Society, in which, in spite of inclement weather, 
some forty members took part, may be considered a commemoration of the noth 
anniversary of that event. Alton was reached about noon, and Selborne an hour 
later, after a drive through a deluge of rain. The Vicar, the Rev. A. Kaye, a 
Member of the Society, welcomed the party to Selborne and to Selborne Church, 
expressing his regret at the untoward weather. Beginning with the old yew tree, 
