941 well, though somewhat wobbly. Their vip or kip calls when hungry began only when they had left the nest. B began at once to chase intruders away from their immediate neighborhood, including jays, towhees and quail. One jay was persistent in approaching one young- ster and B attacked him fearlessly (and silently) until it returned no more. This young bird screamed at one of the jay's advances. B demanded much food from me, so I gave him soft-food with which he fed the young. I found I could trick him into feeding Nova's charge by going to that youngster and offering B food there; otherwise he concentrat- ed his attention on the first one. The kip call is extremely ventriloquial and it is interesting to note ( as has been done before) that the parents are deceived by it just as are human beings . B was a frequent victim during the forenoon. There can be no doubt of the correctness of this observation. When B has his especial charge well fed and therefore silenced for the time being, it is his custom to climb the old oak and sing detached phrases of song, in volume corresponding to about three- quarter song. It is clearly not intended for a distant auditor and seems to be designed to keep his family together and to inform them that he is present and on guard and will look out for them. While many of his typical phrases are used there is much that is of a appropriately "conversational" character. Perhaps this might be called his guard song. April 10th. Rhody not seen at this place during the day, although I was absent part of the time. All well with the thrashers. April 11th. R not seen up to about 8:30 A.M. I was absent during the