THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 
253 
NATURE-RAMBLE IN H AIN AULT FOREST (516th 
MEETING). 
Saturday, ist May, 1920. 
A forest ramble in early springtime, when, as old Chaucer has it, 
Aprille with his shoures sote 
The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote, 
Whan Zcphirus eek with his swete breeth 
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth 
The tendre croppes, 
And smale fowles maken melodye,” 
was sure to be welcomed, and over 50 of our Members turned out to taste- 
its joys. 
The field-meeting was planned to offer to those participating the three¬ 
fold opportunity of studying the flowers, birds and insects of newly- 
awakened Nature. The President, Mr. R. Paulson, F.L.S., F.R.M.S., 
acted as botanical referee, Mr. William E. Glegg recorded the birds seen 
or heard, and Mr. C. Nicholson, F.E.S., led the entomologists present. 
By invitation Keeper Evan Jones, who has been in charge of the Forest 
ever since its acquisition as a public pleasaunce, and who has been largely 
responsible for its development from an arable farm into the present open 
breezy gorse land and penetrable woodlands, accompanied the party and 
acted as guide in the thicker portions of the “ woody part.” 
The visitors assembled at Grange Hill station shortly after 2 o’clock, 
and proceeded along the road to Chigwell Row, and thence across the 
recreatibn ground to the Forest. Here the party divided into smaller 
groups ; some devoted themselves to the wild plants of the woods ; others,, 
charmed by the birds which were singing all around, 
The ousel cock so black of hue. 
With orange-tawny bill, 
The throstle with his note so true, 
The wren with little quill ; 
The finch, the sparrow, and the lark, 
The plain-song cuckoo gray, 
gave their attention to the just-returned summer migrants, while yet 
others sought for water beetles and their larvae in the Forest pools ; 
or listened attentively to Keeper Jones’ account of the rehabilitation 
of the wilderness and of its ferae natures which have found their way to 
it as to a sanctuary. All alike enjoyed the glorious views across the val¬ 
ley of the Thames to Shooter’s Hill and the higher ground of Kent. 
Tea was taken at the Retreat at Chigwell Row, adjoining the Forest,, 
after which a formal meeting of the Club was held, with the President in 
the chair, when 
Mr. F. J. Lambert, of 35, Leighton Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea, and 
Mr. W. H. T. Tams, of 8, Whitta Road. Manor Park, E. 12, 
were elected members and three candidates were nominated for election. 
The President then called upon the Conductors for reports on the 
finds of the afternoon. 
