(469) as she stepped in, but I could not see whether she followed the pre- viously noted pattern of "showing it to the eggs", as with earlier nests.(Without looking up back notes, my present recollection is that this action was seen principally, if not solely, about when the eggs were due to hatch, though this may not be correct. However, it has been frequently noted that the oncoming shift carries a worm to the outgoing one and that change is frequently brought about by feeding the bird off duty). oak 10:35. Greenie in nest, B at top of old called after a few prelim- inary soft warbles: B calls You-wheet-you , you -wheet-you; Tork-queellya, tork-quell ya , eepeep eep G answers from nest. B sings. G answered loudly: Tork-queellya , twice in the very same key and (from the nest) quality of tone. B then proceeded to sing, using entirely different phrases than heard earlier, and less harsh. This again illustrates the tendency of these birds to answer calls with like phrases. Incidentally it also shows that both birds know and use the same phrases, as previously noted. In his earlier songs this morning, some of B's phrases were: Purr-pur-ree, cha-taw; peet.-byou-ick, cha-taw; gur-r-r-kit (3x) Rapidly B objects to handling, but permits it. At 11 o'clock I decided that, whether Brownie on the nest, liked it or not, I would see if there were two eggs. He again set very tight and protested soundlessly while I clasped his body in one hand, fingers on one side, thumb on the other and felt around with my fingers There were two eggs. I smoothed down the feathers I had displaced and as I drew my hand away, B took hold of a finger and held on to it for a moment, then released it. The excitement this morning, and the singing, were undoubtedly connected with the egg-laying. This fits into a clear pattern.