involved coming to within 20 feet of me, and also began gathering fibre. Both went to the nest and at 12:15 when I left were both actively engaged. So Nova appears definitely committed to the enterprise. Notes in connection with earlier nests will show that the females are often inclined to work little (sometimes not at all) on the nest until the lining stage is reached, at which point they may work actively. About 11:30 Rhody, who had just finished a long rest on the ground after having eaten his meat inside the cage, went down into the chaparral not far from the nest. However, he was not seen to show any interest in it, and at 12:30 was roosting quietly in an acacia 25 feet from it. So as not to disturb Nova, I was watching all this from the other side of the street, but B spied me from the only nest itself and ran all the way over to me for 3 worms then return- ed to work. Feb.6th. and 7th. Everything about as normal with the thrashers and the road- runner. Lining of the thrasher nest must be about finished as work is slacking off. Rhody, I believe, eats snails. At any rate he picks up their shells, breaks them up by holding them in his bill and slapping them against something hard. He does not hammer them as a jay does acorns with straight up and down blows, but swings his bill sidewise rapping the shell against the particular anvil selected. Furthermore he deliberately selects objects such as stones, and in one case, a drinking dish, against which to break them. When they are broken the interiors are explored for their contents. Thus far I have seen him only with empty shells. I tried to round him up for Miss Dougan to photograph. He would permit me to walk up to him and even flick his tail without concern, but he would bolt when Miss Dougan approached.