June 6th to 10th. inclusive. During this period observations were continued as usual, but notes were not made, since nothing especial happened. Incubation proceeded regularly, there was practically no early morning song, with but a few calls and snatches of loud song at times. The bird off duty usually went to a considerable distance from the nest, though Brownie remained as tame as ever when present. There was no undersong at all, and Nova was heard only to scrip and make an occasional approach call. June 11th. At 12:15 P.M. I followed Brownie, who had just been singing a little from the old oak, to the nest. Nova did not get out at first but sat touching bills with Brownie, both bubbling. She did not seem to mind my presence at all. When she finally left without haste, I felt in the nest under Brownie, who was very patient and gentle, and though I could feel that the shell of one of the eggs was crumbling. If this correct, it will be noted that the eggs of wild birds do not, as has been stated, always hatch in the forenoons--though this par- ticular margin seems to be close. At 1:05 Brownie came from the nest. I went there and had time to feel definitely that the egg, now at the opposite or western circum- ference of the nest, was no longer intact. In fact B's leaving with- out being relieved was circumstantial evidence that it had hatched or was hatching. Nova came quickly, but without being much disturbed, to take over, so I backed off to 4 feet to give her a chance. She inspect ed the interior, then settled herself in it comfortably. I retreated to 10 feet and sat down where I could see her back and head. She sat with her head toward the side of the nest where lay the hatching egg, and every few minutes, would rise in the nest reach down into it and tap gently and swallow (occasionally) small particles with the typical back and forth movements of the head that birds often make when swallowing. This action was all directed at that portion of the nest