Jan.30th. During the day nothing was observed out of the usual run of events in connection with the thrashers and the road-runner. Jan.31st. 12:55P.M. It was noted that only one full song was heard about sunrise, and as the morning proceeded, an unusual silence on the part of Brownie prevailed. It occurred to me that this might indi- cate active nesting, notwithstanding the fact, that contrary to experience of last winter, there has been no carrying of twigs up present into trees during the^winter months, although Brownie has continued to sleep in his September-October nest in the dormitory tree every night and has sat in it frequently during the day time. As no eggs have ever been laid in this nest, it was thought that it might be used for the first brood of this year, consequently it has been rather closely watched. Investigation.As the silence continued, I went out to look for B about 10 A.M. to see what it might portend. He was found sitting in the top of a baccharis bush outside the fence to the west ; not a usual place for him. He was taking in very low tones, presumably to his mate out of sight near by, and strangely enough, would not come to me Ditto Rhody.for worms, so I left him and looked up Rhody who proved to be only a few feet away in a tree. Rhody would not come to me either, so I went to him and handed him a piece of meat which he accepted read- ily. Brownie had, in the meantime, gone to the eastern end of my place about 150 yards away.and into the chaparral on the bank. There he was found with Nova inspecting nesting sites together. As I watched he began to carry twigs up into an acacia armata, appar- ently placing them definitely. Nova joined him there. Rhody's first song of season.At exactly 10:45 Rhody's cooing song was heard (for the first time in several months) from the same general vicinity. I went down to the street to investigate. Rhody was six feet up in a tree about