Fulica americana 128 Lake Merritt, S. D. Oakland, Alameda Co., Calif. Water birds went directly to shore. Of the 30 or 40 birds on the lake, only two dull-billed young were seen, all the rest seemingly adults, and many of them apparently paired. At least they seem to associate in pairs, and several times I have heard the ♂ "puk" from one of the pair, and the ♀ "poonk" from the other. Three when four birds were more or less feeding in close proximity, one attempted to attack another, even to the extent of display, but the other bird refused to be attacked, refusing to display or to rear back when the other did, instead, it just lowered its head, and keeping its distance from the pursuer, but facing it, proceeded to "laugh" at it with its mouth wide open. A little later, a "poonking" bird was closely pursuing a larger, "pukking" bird, once the larger bird turned, and the smaller bird stopped, and looked as tho it was going to give the "laughing" reaction, it didn't however. All this continual struggle around feeding area doesn't seem to be a function of food supply. Territory battles are so severe, in fact more so, when no food is involved. When food is available the birds are too busy eating, and a considerable number of birds will collect about the feeding area to eat. When feeding pressure is gone then the conflicts become severe.