1468 At 9:30 A.M. he strolled by the cage while I was inside with the young thrashers, in a casual sort of way, and went over to the Nichols'. I was away several hours during the day, but while here, did not see him until about 5:50 P.M. He was then standing quite still with something in his bill on the north side of the house. When I walked up to him, he began to wag his tail and bow. It was seen that he had a small piece of dried-up meat. He was invited to come to the tool-house for a mouse, but would not leave his post; consequently I went and got a mouse for him. He now approached me, still carrying the meat: bowing and wagging. The mouse was placed on the ground at my feet. R approached with "grabbing distance" and continued his ritual; but when the mouse bolted, he hastily dropped the meat and caught the mouse. In about 10 minutes he climbed to nest 8-37 after a march interrupted by halts for appropriate ceremony. The young thrashers spent most of the day at "liberty" in the 12' x 12' outer cage. Much of their time was spent in digging and picking up small objects of one kind or another--not always food. They are the only creatures I have seen at this place that consistently eat the Argentine ants. While they were digging I enabled them to make many "discoveries" independently of meal worms and pupae at the bottoms of their excavations. They eat them more readily in this way. They were also given doses of moistened soft-food occasionally, as they do not seem able to find enough food for themselves as yet, although they make occasional applications to the dry soft-food dish. For several days they have been in that transition stage between total dependence upon others for their food and complete self reliance. A similar condition was noted with Archie and Terry and with Brownie's various broods. In this stage young birds frequently back away from their parents or from human beings with open bills as if wanting the offered food, but averse to taking it. When it is placed in their mouths they will often throw it out impatiently. This is a difficult period in their rearing. May 4th. Rhody was working on nest 8-37 at 9:15. Exactly an hour later, when I returned in my car, he was still at it. When I passed on foot he cried and rattled his beak and soon was trotting along be- hind me on the way to the tool house: eager for a mouse. This he carried off with ritual, and its final disposition was not observ- ed. At 1:45 he appeared at the oval lawn to sit on the bench and listen to the birds that gathered to comment upon him. This time his usual retinue was increased by two Russet-backed thrushes that have a nest in an azalea by the front steps. (This nest, the first one of its kind found at this place, is robbed every time an egg is laid in it. At present a rat is suspected. Rhody, based on the experiment made with him, Archie and Terry with a jay's nest, is believed not to be an egg-eater). After listening to his detractors Rhody lead the way toward the tool-house for half the distance. When he stopped for a drink I passed him. He then followed. He was indifferent about mice, although when the one placed before him started to run, he grabbed it, killed it and abandoned it. Next he went to the cage to watch the young thrashers. They flew to a high perch and scripp'd. (This "scrip" appears to he