English sparrow for him without success. He walked about my feet freely and when I went across the driveway and sat down at the steps, he trotted over and perched on a rock at my elbow with his head just clearing the gun barrel across my lap. He was intensely inter- ested in the numerous birds about him, making short sallies toward them, but not going up into the bushes to get at them. While he was present the birds (golden-crowned and song sparrows, brown and spotted towhees and wren-tits) kept off the ground in his vicinity . The bush-tits, plain titmice, hummingbirds, purple finches and hermit thrushes were all aware of his presence, as reflected by their actions. None of them seemed particularly fearful of pursuit or capture, but were careful and watchful. While Rhody does eat small birds handed him , I doubt if he really goes out of his way to catch them . Dec 9th. Effect of hills on sunrise. 7:43 A.M. Due to the hills to the east, the first rays of the sun, which is scheduled to rise at 7:13 are just reaching here. (Temp. outside 52). Attempt to influence B's recent programme. At about 6:30 A.M. I happened to be awake and listened for thrash- er sounds until about 7, but everything was quiet. I got the idea that if I should get in contact with B before he left in the morning, as he has done the last two days, I might succeed in altering his date schedule. I then headed for his nest, everything in the thrasher world being still quiet in all directions. When about 100 feet from the nest, I heard one loud, clear musical phrase apparently coming from it. On arrival there at exactly 7:00 A.M., Brownie was seen in the act of rising in it. He looked down at me, then jumped up to the top of the wind screen and gave his bugle call (Song A) looking off to the south east. After a few more phrases he went to the old oak and sang full song beautifully, interspers- ing it with his bugle call. This started a high-pitched thrasher B still in nest at 7 A.M. His rising time. Sounds off. Wakes the thrasher world.