Pearson - 1996 17 spherical. No Phyllotis-sized droppings, but maybe they went through the screen? We did see Phyllotis- sized droppings yesterday while setting traps near the dig. Later I did 3 more vials from the "Surface". Same diversity as before plus an Irenomys and a tuco. A total of maybe 40 animals. Note: no Phyllotis. Liz had separated out a vial of smallish droppings that were Phyllotis/Euneomys size, coarse, almost lumpy. Under the dissecting scope they contained numerous flakes that look like chitin, plus tiny bristles, but there were no legs or antennae or other insect parts, and no "vegetation" such as grass or leaves. I think they might be seed husks. But who made them? 1 December - Overnight low 53. Day sunny and warm. The almost-sperical droppings too big in diameter for Lagidium contain vegetable fibers, as do elongate Lagidium-like droppings. Waiting for Sage. Christie came by; he had been out to Liz's dig again. Our traps held only one Akodon longipilis (10 Shermans and 2 steel traps). 2 December - Max-min 65-40. Partly cloudy. Dick Sage arrived 4 p.m. Immediately, Liz and Tony and Nadia Guthman arrived. She had won a prize with one of her sculptures. Her traps at El Bolson czught 7 Oligoryzomys that were positive for Hanta virus (25% of all the Oligos), plus some Akodon olivaceus and A. longipilis. I think the total catch was 39. Liz and Tony report that our 10 Shermans at their cliff caught 2 more longipilis, one Phyllotis, and one Oligoryzomys juvenile down near their tent at one of the Berberis clumps. One of the two steel traps set at tuco diggings in Berberis clumps was sprung empty. Unfortunately, they are finished working there. They brought the live Oryz with them and left it here; the Phyllotis got away, very lively they say, it jumped out of the bucket, but they got photos. Said itlooked like a woodrat. 3 December - Nadia Guthman came by. Her trapping at Lago Puelo did indeed catch 7 Oligoryzomys positive for Hanta, 22 other Oligos, and 10 more Akodon olivaceus and longipilis. Her thesis committee is on hold. We went to Chalhuaco with Dick Sage. Road and bridges in good shape. The fire on the lower slopes was impressive. Big areas of burned pines, some of