1565 Rhody continued to sit on his eucalyptus limb until 11:50. At that time he was immersed in the shadow of the tree itself and he saw me approaching. It was time to get out of the shade and time to eat. He came down and toward me before I reached him. When I retrac- ed my steps he followed, with kittenish cavortings and one loud rattle- boo, to the tool-house, where he downed a black mouse in a matter of 10 seconds or less. Recently Rhody has been satisfied with one mouse a day, no meat, and has foraged little or not at all. Clearly his food requirement has materially lessened. I believe this corresponds with last year's habit at this season, but have not made a comparison of the notes. He occupied the roof of the cage most of the afternoon, com- ing down at 3 P.M., but wanting nothing from me. Long preening and "resting" followed and, at 4:56 he settled in his roost in the eucalypt- us. (Instead of roosting earlier he is getting later. This was actual- ly after sunset). He had sat near the base of the tree since some tim before 4 P.M. Dec. 14th. (Sunrise 7:17, sunset 4:51). Morning song of thrashers to the N.E. At 8:30 A.M. Rhody was still in his roost. (Clear, calm, 55°). " 9:45 " Still there. I now left for the forenoon Returning at 12:15 P.M., Rhody was seen on the cage roof. On invi- tation he followed to the tool-house for his mouse. (65°). I was absent during part of the afternoon. Rhody was in his roost in the eucalyptus tree at 4:37 when I looked him up; but Julio says he was already there at 4 P.M. Dec. 15th. (Sunrise 7:17, sunset 4:52). A little early thrasher song moving from place to place. At 8:30 A.M., Rhody still in roost. (Partly cloudy, light wind from north, 52°). At 9:30 Rhody was down on the bank near his tree, sunning in the open-bowl pose. (Wind getting stronger). At 10:45. Still occupied as before. At 11:55. He was now ready for his mouse. He seems not to want food early in the day, at this time of the year, and one mouse per day appears to satisfy his food requirement. At about 3:30 he was sitting by the fence in the orchard where he had been for a long time. Julio placed a live alligator lizard, about 12 inches long, in front of him. He was only mildly interest- ed--perhaps because the lizard would not run, or maybe because he was not hungry. After several minutes he picked it up and shook it, but not very roughly. However, the lizard dropped its tail, which snap- ped about on the ground and worked its way down the bank like a thing possessing a brain of its own. Even this did not cause the bird to "do anything about it". I had other things to do, so left. As far as I know, the lizard was not eaten. At 4:34 P.M. Rhody jumped to his resting place for the night in the eucalyptus, but contrary to his usual practice, did not settle for 2½ minutes, possibly because he was concerned about some child- ren playing basket-ball in full sight (and sound) about 100 yards away at a newly occupied house. Dec. 16th. (Sunrise 7:18, sunset 4:52). Scattered early morning thrasher song.