Fulica Americana 127 30 Lake Merritt, S.L. Oakland, Alameda Co. Calif. Several coots and many ducks came over to the fence, mere went around the end of a 20 foot fence to get the food. Later a bird did and with one pitched battle, chased the occupying bird out onto the open lake. There are some social relations existing here that I don't unde- stand. A few minutes ago I observed a battle between two unevenly matched birds. They both displayed and then went into a prolonged battle, lasting for about three minutes. The larger bird would grab the breast of the smaller with one foot, and slap it with the other. Both birds were sitting on their wings throughout. The smaller bird, when free of the other birds grasp, backed away, using its mostly submerged wings to propel it, and defending itself with thrashing feet. The larger bird finally got the best of the smaller, and was able to get the small bird under water, to sit on it and peck at it. Finally the smaller bird got away. went a few feet on the surface, and there under pressure of a charge from the larger, seemed to escape. During the heat of the battle about 12 other coots (and 2 Calif. ducks) gathered close about, intently watching the struggle. As the vanquished bird tried to escape, 3 of the bystanders took after it, even tho' the victor was no longer interested. One of the birds chased the loser, even charging at twice causing it to submerge to escape. To