The Zoologist — November, 1874. 4035 



opportunities for observing him, gave me to understand that he 

 was not m the fully adult plumage, so that it seems the males of 

 this species breed before they have assumed their beautiful black 

 and yellow colours. 



On the 22nd of July 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 mattin- 

 One would almost imagine that a basket-maker had been at 

 work." 



Both the old and young birds continued to haunt the park until 

 the 1st of August, 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. 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 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. 



As some of my readers may naturally ask the question, where 

 do the golden orioles come from, and where do they go, or such 

 of them as escape destruction, on leaving this country ? I may 

 anticipate them by observing that these birds make their annual 

 visit to the European continent from the countries south of the 

 Mediterranean in the month of April, and return in September. 

 It is at the end of April or beginning of May that specimens are 

 usually obtained on our southern coast; and from those that pass 

 over France and Germany in a north-west direction an example 



