5-36 from the top of a ladder. This was to be followed by a view of the last reel of film of Rhody and his youngsters, since we could not see him in the flesh. However, as we turned toward the house, the old rascal appeared in the road near the oval lawn 100 feet away while a red-tailed hawk circled over- head, attracting his vigilant attention. I went up to him and tossed him worms to get him in the right mood, then got a mouse, joined the visitors, and called Rhody--still 100 feet away. My guests stepped out of R's view behind a hedge, and R came slow- ly towards us, though he was aware of the presence of strangers-- also of the hawk. When the mouse was placed upon the ground in plain sight of all of "us" R grabbed it, retreated about 15 yards along the road and gobbled it neatly. He had redeemed the situ- ation, and earned my gratitude by living up to specifications under conditions that were trying for him. After this he dusted. This is usually a final act before going to his roost; but on this occasion, as soon as the visitors left about 5:15 and I went to sit by the oval lawn, he marched up to me and stood facing me expectantly. I tossed him a couple of worms, which he caught. A third struck him on the tip of the bill, but he did not open up for it, and continued to look at me. I do not know what he wanted--if it was another mouse he was foredoom- ed to disappointment. In a few moments he began cutting foolish capers about the lawn and the surrounding shrubbery and striking exaggerated poses before individual birds there. Perhaps this was intended as a protest at my lack of generosity. On the other hand the mouse--a good fat one--may have filled him with pep and he was just showing off, or expressing gratitude! While he was approaching to get the mouse, back-lighted by the western sun, impalpable cloudlets of dust floated off from him, again demonstrating the dust-saturated condition which these birds maintain. August 13th. Rhody remained unseen here a large part of the day, but about 4:30 P.M. headed for the cage for meat and magpie inspection. When he came out it was evident that he intended to see what prospects I had to offer, but, on catching sight of my nephew (E.D.) sitting by me, hesitated to approach. I then rose and took a few steps toward the shop. This he understood perfectly and started to follow his usual route which involved passing by the stranger. After hesitating to consider this hazard, he took a detour which placed trees between him and the suspicious object and headed directly for the shop yard, arriving there well ahead of me, and was there patiently awaiting my coming to perform the customary mouse presentation when I arrived. Thus, once again, Rhody has demonstrated his ability to omit an important element in an acquired pattern and proceed directly by a short-cut (topographically as well as mentally) to a desired end. The standard pattern has been for him to follow me to the mouse abode. On this occasion an unforeseen event-- the presence of my nephew blocking the usual route (a physical as well as a mental hazard) caused him to alter this pattern, omit the following part, and go directly, without guidance, to the place where experience has taught him that he can get a mouse provided I am there, and there await my arrival. This involves learning, memory, adaptability to new and unforeseen conditions, ability to change a habit, elimination of non-essentials, purposefulness, concentration upon an objective in the face of distraction and, or, some mental (or psychic)