1100 meal worms and anything else suiting his fancy, although he is neither a gourmand nor, from our view-point. a gourmet. At 1:30 his meat was gone, so presumably he is here. I had to leave for the rest of the day. December 26th. Well, Rhody is back again doing his usual things. When he sailed off to investigate a tree full of birds about a hundred yards to the south, I followed. After making some fancy evolutions he came to me for worms, then strolled about the empty field, finally heading back here where he disappeared absolutely practi- cally under my nose. An hour or so after his regular roosting time he was not in his regular roost. Perhaps he has moved to another place. December 27th. Rain during the night. Badly needed, since we have had less than 3 inches since July 1st. and a large part of that of no value since it came, freakishly, in August. At 9 A.M. both Rhody and Brownie were in the orchard, B dry and R wet only as to tail, Sunny and mild after the rain. When B came to me for worms he was full of soft talk, which, from previous experience, I have learned may not be for me, but for another thrasher. During the last few weeks Brownie has been about the only thrasher seen or heard here, but on this occasion I could hear another one scrapping off to the south east. B climbed to a branch about 3 feet over my head in a peach tree and called in old time form. In a few minutes another thrasher appeared about 10 yards away, saw me, and retreated into the bush- es. B did nothing about it at the time, but about an hour later, when I looked him up again, a thrasher sneaked into the bushes again from his immediate vicinity. The bird may have been Nova and B may have known all about her movements since the last nest was built. Certainly he showed no especial excitement. I expect increasing full song from now on. Rhody allowed me to walk right up to him and hand him worms. A live mouse given him was incapacitated without being beaten upon the ground at all; a squeeze or two in the bill being enough, although the creature was still kicking as it disappeared down the bird's gullet. Although Rhody's children are occasionally able to dispose of a small mouse in this summary fashion, it is quite apparent that the parent is still more powerful than his offspring. Long after his usual bed time Rhody was not in his regular roost. December 28th. Rhody about as usual, but not in his regular roost at night. December 29th. Heavy rain during the night, but sunny in the morning. At 9A.M. Brownie was dry. After coming for worms, he called, getting an almost instant response from, undoubtedly, Nova, since it was a short singing reply in her unique, high-pitched voice. At the same time Rhody, with slightly wet tail, was sunning his back in the orchard. He hung around until about 2:35 P.M.,