The rain ceased early in the afternoon and all the birds dried in a themselves surprisingly short time. 3:30. When B approaches the young thrashers with a worm (he is feeding them again when he feels like it) they first assume a position of defense--attitude of defense--changing it quickly to a receptive one if they think he intends to feed them, which he does not always do, sometimes flirting the worm in their faces and then gobbling it him- self. He has just carried one to Nova in the nest, after hesitating for a long time undecidedly. 5:45. The young birds are now going to the food dish on their own initiative and eating. They are probably able to take care of them- selves now. B has just fed them again. Brownie has resumed his tactics of following me to the nest and the popping into it when it is unoccupied; thus carrying out earlier pat- tern. He first inspects the interior, and does not seem alarmed --- merely vigilant. The purpose of all of this nest-sitting before the arrival of the eggs is not clear. It would seem that it is either to give it a perma- it is nent set in proper form, keep it so, or else merely the operation of a reflex (both sexes doing it). Or Perhaps neither bird knows when an egg is due or which lays it, or even that there is to be an egg and simply sit in the nest instinctively--their future course to be deter- mined by whatever results from this occupancy. April 23rd. At 9 A.M. Brownie came to me in the glade repeating queelick? over and over again very softly and looking keenly up into the old oak. Instead of taking the worm offered, he climbed up into the tree and seemed to be making a thorough search for something. calm While he was doing this the young birds came to me for food. B could not have been looking for them, as they started calling as soon as I entered the glade, thus revealing their location in the bushes.