1558 Dec. 5th. (Sunrise 7:09, sunset 4:50). No thrasher song heard in early morning. 8:45. (Sunny, strong north wind, 58° (est.)). Rhody already out of roost and sitting down on bank; probably early on account of the high wind. Neo absent. At 11:20 A.M. (68°) Rhody, playing with a lizard, got care- less, and allowed it to escape under a log, then tried ineffectual- ly to dig it out with his bill. This shows he will indulge in play with lizards, even when really hungry, for he at once followed to the tool-house and was so eager for it that, contrary to custom, he came all the way inside to get it. 4:08 (Clear, dead calm, 65°, max. was 71°). Rhody has just gone into his house in the eucalyptus. At 3:30 there was no sign of him near the tree, so I went down to his old place on the west lot, really expecting to find him either in, or on the way to his old house: thereby securing some fine evidence of his having car- ried in mind his last night's experience with the hawk and his remembrance of his old house and having decided to go there. But the "evidence" was ruined by his not having done anything of the kind, and, naturally, when I returned to the eucalyptus group, he was there. At 3:45 he began his ascent of the ladder tree and was so exasperatingly slow about it that I left, returning about 3:55. To my surprise I found him now in the lower part of the roost tree, having taken a new route. He sat there for several minutes quietly then moved directly and purposefully up to and into the house 6 or 8 feet higher and immediately assumed sleeping posture. Whether he will stay there or not, I do not know as yet; but the directness and precision of his movements were such as to indicate that he knew in advance just what he was going to do. So it may be that I still have evidence, though in a form not expected, that he has not forgotten the hawk and that the house is regarded as offering some measure of protection from attack. From the temperatures above recorded and the state of the air movement, there appears to be nothing of a meteorological na- ture to induce him to seek cover. In fact, it is warmer than it has been at this time for several days. 4:30. I shall now go out and see if he is still in the house 4:33. Well, he isn't; so that "story" is spoilt! He is up on the same old support amongst the leaves. Anyway he does know all about the possibilities of the house. Dec. 6th. (Sunrise 7:10, sunset 4:50--note that sunset time has been remaining constant for several days, while sunrise is getting later gradually). At 9 A.M. Rhody was still in bed. (Sunny, dead calm, 56°). I found Neo at his old place eggarfor worms. He squeezed through the wire fence after quite a struggle to come to me. He picked up worms within arm's reach. It was noted that (for the first time) he was "talking" in low gurgles and little runs. I felt much flattered at this mark of his growing confidence until, on going back to the house, I found that Julio had had the same experience with him at 7:30 A.M. this morning, but that there was another thrasher in the bushes with him. Then I remembered (as these notes record) that I had been fooled in this same manner by Brownie many times until I finally learned that this talk was always addressed to his mate somewhere nearby.