into it. Worms dropped on the ground are sometimes taken to the pool by it and washed before being swallowed. If the worms are rather large to be swallowed whole, it breaks them in two by a sidewise flirt of the bill in the air--like snapping a whip. It seems to work without fail. Nov.8th. Little full song this morning; the birds seem hawk-shy, although it has not interfered with Brownie's sub-song. Rail takes worms from hand. The rail is already tame enough to come and take worms from my hand. when I offered them to him through the wires he came without hesitation and took them, showing no signs of fear. Takes meat, but drops it. He also took a piece of meat from me but would not eat it. It is curious how a wild bird, once it accepts food from one, soon learns that anything offered it is worth investigation at least. Gets tamer rapidly. 11:15 A.M. When the rail saw me approaching the cage, just now, he came to the wire, clucking softly, and took angle-worms from my fingers as fast as I could offer them, making due allowance for the time required by him to wash the dirtiest ones in the pool. He even reached out through the wire and pecked my fingers when I was too slow to suit him. I will try him on slugs and snails. If he eats these creatures he should be a valuable garden "accessory". Nov. 9th. Little early morning full song about the place and birds still shy; on account of hawks presumably. The rail is getting so that he watches for me to come and give him worms. Rhody ran well to schedule, including his mirror dance. Nov.10th. No early song heard at all and most birds kept well out of sight. B would come out of the bushes for a worm at a time, shyly, and run back in again, talking to Nova.