Feb 9. 2 1/2 mi. ESE Del Valle The timber strip was narrower here, chiefly willows, with small oaks and elms covering a sloping bank rising 20 ft. above the stream. No towhee heard until the stream opened to the W somewhat. After some pioneer- ing in the denser brush and lianas, I crossed the creek where it was dry at 9:45. Because of the stagnant appearance of the water, I consider it possible that the water in the creek now is merely backed up from the Colorado. Working upstream along the north bank, I heard songs of two towhees across the stream. I re-crossed farther up at 10:00 and began to follow the more persistent singer. This led me up a steep bank and through a mesquite-thorn-prickly pear covered slope in order to reach the streamside timber to which the towhee had moved. Bird appeared to be alone, singing steadily peerpeer---in 3a. I chased him up the S bank, then across the stream where I fired at him a second time. He returned to the S bank and worked upslope through some scrubby post oaks. I took him there as he was singing from a conspicuous perch at 10:30 (705, S). No evidence of mate during this time. I worked downstream to point on S bank where I had first heard 705 sing. Working carefully through woods on the S bank, I came upon a pair of towhees. They were foraging and giving tait notes. I fired at one---no effect. This bird flew E among low