1502. When I came out of the cage and looked for Rhody, he quickly appeared and showed that he wanted a mouse. Again the procession to the mouse place followed, and again no ritual. Based on be- havior of the last week or so, this is early for him to want a mouse. 10 A.M. At 9:45 Rhody was doing nothing near the cage, but just outside the fence to the north. I talked to him and suggested that he come over, although I knew he was not hungry. Yet he did come and brought a bill full of pine needles which he presented at a window of the upper annex of the cage, then carried about on the roof looking for a place to put his burden. This was found in a sagging portion of the awning. For a few moments he stood looking down at the needles contemplatively, then composed himself to rest. This looks like another instance of my being woven into the reproductive pattern of a bird; but in this case, a road-runner instead of thrashers. (In this connection see "The Companion in the Bird's World", The Auk, July 1937, by Konrad Lorenz, kindly lent me by Dr. Grin- nell, who called it to my attention as possibly having some bear- ing upon these observations. I can understand perhaps 3% of this article at present, but think I can dimly see some sort of a hook- up between Lorenz's "Kumpan" doctrine and the things these birds have been doing in my presence). August 13th. to 15th., incl. During this period Rhody showed no departure from seasonal form, except, perhaps, that he absented himself (was not seen) on the 15th. until about 5 P.M., at which time all that he wanted was a good, long drink. The day before he was offered the small gopher snake, but refused to get excited over it. I judge that, although he was ready to accept suitable food at the time, the snake was larger than necessary to fill the bill. He would look at it, but each of two times that I left him and went to the shop yard in order to put him to the test, he followed, waited in expectation of receiving a mouse, and when it was not forthcoming, followed me back to the snake. He was finally given his choice between the two animals and took the mouse without hesitation. As on all other occasions during this period, there was no ritual. It should be said that about 3 hours earlier he had had a liberal helping of meat, so that he probably only moderately hun- gry. Okil and Chiisai continued sporadic nesting activities, but uncoordinated. Their "nest" is "getting no further forward fast". Practically all of the material falls to the ground sooner or later On the 14th. Chiisai excelled all former efforts in digging- and quarter-song, of high quality and well sustained over a period of many minutes at a time. During one of these song intervals Okii lay down to doze on the back of a hand held close to my chin and sang his "slumber song" there for fully 15 minutes. I could catch every nuance, but it is impossible to describe the song adequately. About 6 P.M. on the 15th. Okii and Chiisai were banded by Donald Brock: Okii first. He did not like it at all, and for an hour afterwards, had no use for me, Rhody chooses mouse instead of snake.