126 THE BIRDS OF KENT 



" On July 22 the man again ascended the tree and 

 peeped into the nest. The young had flown, but were 

 subsequently discovered sitting about in the park with 

 the old birds. As soon as the nest was no longer wanted, 

 Mr. Tomlin had the branch which supported it cut off, 

 and, writing to me on the subject the following day, he 

 observed that ' upon examining the nest we found the 

 corners tightly bound with long pieces of matting. One 

 would almost imagine that a basket-maker had been at 

 work.' 



" Both the old and young birds continued to haunt the 

 park until August 1, after which date they were no longer 

 seen. The young were, however, well feathered by that 

 time, and able to take care of themselves. Let us hope 

 that they contrived to escape the eyes of prowling 

 gunners beyond the park, and that they will return 

 again next spring to gladden the eyes and ears of their 

 kind protector. 



" It is much to be wished that other proprietors would 

 follow the good example thus set by Mr. Tomlin. Could 

 they be induced to do so, they would become acquainted 

 with many beautiful birds which visit us from the Con- 

 tinent every spring, and which would in most cases rear 

 their young here if allowed to remain unmolested. Apart 

 from the gratification to be derived from seeing these 

 brightly coloured birds within view of the windows, and 

 hearing their mellow, flute-like notes, they would be 

 found to be most useful allies to the gardener in ridding 

 the trees of caterpillars, which they devour greedily, and 

 keeping many other noxious insects in check." 



Mr. Bankes Tomlin, of Dampton Park, Thanet, wrote 

 to the Field, August 14, 1875 : " Mr. Harting gave a 

 long account of the nesting of a pair of Golden Orioles 



