Jan. 31st. About 9:30 A.M. both thrashers were at the oval lawn, B running out for worms. I went to the glade and they and the wren came too. Both thrashers then wandered off after the usual performance. I went to the dormitory tree and found Brownie sitting quietly a few inches from Sta. D. partly under the roof. Soon he went to old No.5, of which 3 or 4 twigs are left, further under the roof, and carried one of them to the new prospective location. I then left to make this note. Perhaps this incident throws light on the question often asked as to whether these birds ever use old nesting material taken directly from the nests. However, the few twigs noted above do not in any way resemble a nest. Nest support. 12:30 P.M. About 11:20 I placed a piece of about 2 inch hexagonal mesh screen in the position occupied by Nest 5 and fastened it in place, hoping that Brownie might consider it a suitable sup- port for a nest, better than Sta. D. One great advantage, though possibly not so regarded by the thrashers, is that it is sheltered from rain. I went to the glade to see if I could awaken nesting activities by giving the thrashers worms, about 11:30. The effort was successful, and in about 5 minutes, B headed for the dorm with a twig, which he carried and placed in Sta. D. He saw my structure and proceeded to crawl under it to pull out twigs which he carried to D. He also attempted to remove from it a small branchlet which I had woven into it as a stiffener and "starter". He worked about D for about a half hour, rather energetically, making short excursions for twigs, some of them being placed in D. At times he appeared to contem- plate my device. I doubt if he likes the roof overhead. Greenie did not participate in his activities. I believe that they are seriously intended and can no longer be considered as random reflex actions, though it is too early to determine whether a final selection