(268) for a novitiate. Gopher snakes often strike viciously, attempt to "climb up themselves" to get at the tail-holder, somehow achieve a triangular shape to their heads and vibrate their tails like a rattle- snake, but this fellow, aside from an occasional half-hearted thrust of the head had none of these tricks. Therefore it is uncertain whether this incident illustrates instinctive recognition of a racial enemy or of a specific individual previously encountered. I think, however, the former, in view of the unstaged snake-fights already recorded in these notes. July 12th. 11:55 A.M. I have just visited nest No.4. All the young birds were sleeping, no parents in sight. Brownie came at once, but had no food for the young, nor did they want any. Brownie settled on the nest and accepted a little food for herself but offered none to to the brood. She then closed her eyes for a nap, after watching me arrange a bit of shade where the sun was shining hotly through an opening in the foliage to the discomfort of the young birds. Her respiration was 42 when in full repose. Occasionally she opened her eyes for an instant at some unusual sound, but closed them again immediately I watched her for a minute or so and when I left she did them and they remained closed nt. open HHHHHH again as long as I could see her. She seemed to be sleeping. At about seven this morning she came up to the balcony again for food. There have been no signs of brood No.1 this morning. Members of both broods, while in the nest, often assume the curious attitude when sleeping of laying their heads on the rim and placing their feet on each side of their bills. 7:30 P.M. No signs of any one of the first brood all day. July 13 th. At 8 A.M. no thrashers in the glade. All of the youngsters in the nest were wide awake. The parents were away and did not come while I was there. Two of the babies crouched down in the nest when they saw me, one of them raising its wings. The third one opened its bill for food and had a good big helping of soft food.