N. GULLION 1950 Fulica americana 433 May 19 Lake Temescal, 420ft., Alameda Co., Calif. -at K7. 12:03 p.m. SE to at K5 "pulled" several times, the ? "poonhed" in reply and climbed off the nest, going to his location. Then the usual chase, she catching and diving just ahead of him for about 30 seconds, then he moves towards the nest, climbing on it at 12:06, preening his breast feathers carefully before settling on the eggs 30 seconds later. The birds coming on the nest always preen breast feathers before settling on the nest. I suppose this is to dry them off and to get them fluffy before settling down. I have noticed that the nest to S. Tips slightly as the SE bird preens on its edge before settling down. Conflict between the SE birds coots and the ? Mallard is/10%ing must occur in less than 1 out of 20 contacts. Just after writing that the Mallard got too close to the nest to suit the SE ? and she quickly moved over towards them, giving a partial display and causing them to move away - 12:13 p.m. This SE pair of birds seems to make use of the mature area of cat- tail under their control. I don't know where the boundary between their territory and the S W par- lies, in the cat-tails, but they surely must defend one. I suggest it would be an extension of the