on the west lot began. He was not seen to visit nest 5--36, or any other nest, at all; and he made no display in accepting mice. The young rats are now taboo--perhaps because too large. Inspection of the magpies became less frequent. The wane of his mating urge for the season probably has caused him to lose interest in them, just as he has lost interest in nesting activities. Coincidentally, or probably in consequence of his decreased preoccupation with affairs of the heart (really, I suppose, diminished excitement of his gonads) he can give more time to foraging, hence is less dependent upon artificial food supply. Certainly his natural wild food supply is now abundant. On the other hand, there is the possibility of his having an active nest somewhere else, and his absences are an indication of his taking his turn at household affairs. In that case, however, if he followed the pattern of last year, he would not sleep in his regular roost--unless the nest were nearby. I have several times prowled through the thick growth of the west lot at times when he was not here and have seen no signs of him then or of any nest. I do not think he has another nest. Brownie continues to sing, principally in the early morning hours, but there has been no further evidence of his intention to call the annual thrasher convention. Perhaps the singing commented upon a few days ago served merely to notify other thrashers to stand by and be prepared to act upon official notices to be broad- cast later. July 25th. At about 11 A.M. I sat in the shade wondering if any of the foregoing hypotheses as to his morning non-appearances were valid when Rhody suddenly dropped down from a tree and began a prolonged spread-eagle sun-bath, thus interrupting the sequence upon which the theorizing was based. Advantage was taken of this opportunity to make another attempt to get a record of his colors with motion picture camera. To date none of these films has shown the true values . (Kodachrome film; distance 12 feet; 1" lens; stop half way between f 5.6 and f 8; footage 4 to 5; brilliant sun; 11:05 A.M The sunning, as is usually the case, was followed by violent scratching of the neck and throat. Then rest in the shade; then catching tossed worms. During this action a centipede was picked up at my feet; one toss, a "glup" and it was downed without being killed. One shrill squeal from a child in a new home about 100 feet behind me, and Rhody, after making two quick steps and turning his back to me, froze, crouched low to the ground, feet extended out in front, tail flat along the ground. For 8½ minutes (actual timing) there was no movement, except of the eyelids winking. Then as a milk truck came up the driveway passing 20 feet in front of him, the road being 7 feet lower at that point, he tightened up his feathers slightly, but made no movement of head or body. At 10 minutes elapsed time, the truck which was standing at the back door about 50 yards away, began noisily to return. At the increased volume of sound R crouched lower; otherwise not moving. The truck passed him again with no further sign from him. A few seconds later he relaxed somewhat and turned his head in the direction of the house, from which children's voices were barely audible to me. I moved about, but he did not react.