1460 I offered the lizard an honorable retreat into a can held in front of him and he promptly scuttled into it. R now followed to the tool- house, got his mouse, displayed and marched off. I returned to the thrashers in the bay window of the living r room. From there I could watch R's nest 8-37 at the same time. At 5:50 he appeared in the nest with his mouse and did not leave until 6:35 P.M. (A late hour for him to be in this nest). While giving R the mouse I found the snake that he had killed and abandoned for a mouse yesterday. Though a small one, it has a big bulge somewhat aft of amidships and probably has some large creature inside. This suggests that Rhody may have decided against an attempt to eat it on account of its abnormal bulk. On the other hand, however, maybe he is temporarily "off of" his distant reptil- ian relatives. It will be noted that his abandonment of the snake was apparently permanent. He decidedly prefers food of his own discovery to be alive and kicking. May 25th. At 9:30 A.M. Rhody was in his nest 8-37. At 11 he was sunning near the cage and followed quickly for a mouse. He was given a huge one, since he appeared very hungry, which was killed and downed without benefit if ritual of any kind. A few minutes earlier Chilsai, without guidance of any kind, picked up and ate in perfect form, a meal worm from the floor of the cage, thus accomplishing this feat before his more advanced nest mate was able to do so (at least before a witness). Ok11, however, leads in foraging about the cage for food and is now nearly able to take care of his needs without help. He also has developed an immature digging song, and is indefatigable in pry ing into obscure cracks and corners. About 11:30 both began to call: yip, yip although they were not hungry. It proved that what they wanted was a nap. Ok11, since he has discovered how to drink water, now practices that accomplishment frequently. Chilsai can also drink, but not in such a professional manner. I am not sure that his efforts are not intended as preliminaries to a bath. About noon Chilsai rivalled Okii in throwing soft-food out of the dish and picking up an occasional crumb of it. He also devel- oped a song equal to O's. For a time both sat side by side on a perch and sang in concert, but each for himself. At 11:30 Rhody was back at the cage. 12 Ditto . 1 P.M. ditto. 2 P.M., ditto; 2:40, ditto This appears to be a great day for him to preen. Maybe the big mouse is what is keeping him home. 3 P.M. He now alternations of spread-eagle sun-fitting with retreats to the shade to cool off and preen. 4 P.M. Still at it. 5 P.M. In west lot. May 25th 9:15 A.M. At 9 A.M. I was out in the shop cutting a fresh piece of paper for the bottom of the thrasher cage. The cage was on this table a few inches from this typewriter. I heard loud scolding of a thrasher in anger and rushed here thinking something was wrong with Ok11, who had, earlier in the day, Chilsai helps himself to first worm, Rhody creates disturbance in here and spoils this page