THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 275 



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 in succeeding years to 

 gladden the eyes and ears of their kind pro- 

 tector. 



It is much to be wished that other proprietors 

 would follow the good example thus set by Mr. 

 Bankes Tomlin. Could they be induced to do 

 so, they would become acquainted with many 

 beautiful birds which visit us from the Continent 

 every spring, and which would in most cases 

 rear their young here if allowed to remain un- 

 molested. 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. 



