Tomes was born in
Weston-on-Avon and farmed at Welford,
Gloucestershire. He was a specialist in
bats, describing a number of new species. His writings included the sections on
insectivora and
Chiroptera in the second edition of
Thomas Bell's
History of Quadrupeds. His interest in
ornithology waned, and he resigned from the
British Ornithologists Union in 1866. His contributions to the two
Victoria County Histories were his only significant ornithological works. Tomes is buried at South Littleton,
Worcestershire. His collection of mammals was sold to the
Natural History Museum, and his bird collection was bequeathed to the museum in
Worcester. ==Selected bibliography==