- 10 - into the trees and in full view to sing. Most of singing done from inside cane in the daytime, but in the evening I have seen them mount to the tip of a tree to sing, just like the Calif Thrasher. The song is much like that of a thrasher, because it is made up of phrases which are repeated. It has no set pattern, but could readily be mistaken for a thrasher's even to the harsh notes, and the sweet mocking-bird whistles. Usually start with two low harsh clucks the same way a Calif Thrasher does. Song lasts from 6 sec to half a minute, in case the bird is well steamed up. Usually about 10 sec. Call notes are low harsh clucks similar to those of Calif Thrasher, but not as loud. 27 Sep ah at dawn on Lake Susupe, about 15 could be heard from around the lake. Go in corouses. Some hours of the day, all will be silent. Ocassionally one or two will sing alone, but usually when they sing at all they all do it. No seasonal change noted in breeding or singing behavior. Very difficult to make statement as to habitat. It does not occur wherever there are marshes, and it does occur in other places: Naval Air Base, Tanapag (around the camp); cove south of 39th GH where there are several pairs along a little stream running through a fine forest growth; dense small tree growth over dry rocky ground at shore Magicienne bay (At least one pair); Several pairs and singing males heard and seen on the barren ridge covered with bunch grass on the center of the island east of the 11th GH. In this last locality, the birds are found in gullies where the grass is tallest and growing on rather moist ground. This type of distribution is unique on Saipan, where most of the birds show practically no habitat preference, and are uniformly common wherever there is tree growth. Therefore, these Birds can be described as locally common, with no explanation for their absence from certain areas. Note stomach contents mentioned in catalog - eat small animals and swallow small snails whole. Guam Found only at the Agana marshes, where it is common in the cane, and ranges out from it at certain times of day into the wooded hills ouround the marsh (but not farther than 100 yards. ). Little evidence of diurnal cycle of singing. Sometimes they sing and sometimes they don't. Some days they don't sing much. That makes it very tough to collect them, even tho you know they are around, there is no way of tracking them down by sight. Rhipidura rufifrons Saipan, Tinian, Guam Abundant throughout in the understory of the forest. Forage mostly withing 3 yards of the ground, often lower, in the middle parts of the bushes. Not in bushes outside of the forest. Tail kept spread, makes very rapid darts after flying insects. Usually solitary, but is so abundant that birds are constantly running into each other, chasing, and calling, and singing. They are very hostile to one another at times. In foraging the bird keeps in a horizontal posture, with tail spread, and head foreward. The flights are genally made straight out. Stays among the small twigs of the bushes, and can manouver through them and turn and twist in flight with amazing dexterity. Nest found with eggs in bush in marsh at L Susupe Saipan in February. Same deal as a Wood