1569 Rhody was ready for his mouse at 10:10 A.M., but would not come to the tool house for it on account of the strong wind, which seemed much stronger than yesterday. Neo also was disturbed by the wind, but responded whenever he was "home". At 3:15 Rhody was inside the fence sitting near the hole through which Neo enters. He accepted a worm or two without enthusiasm. I went and got a mouse and carried it concealed in the red box. Rhody had not been responding to my suggestions that he follow to the tool-house, but the instant I showed him the red box,(for the first time in several weeks) his response was immediate. So he has not forgotten that association. Next I showed him the mouse. He came, but only to watch it while sunning his back 2 feet away, for fully five minutes. He then took it and killed it, but abandoned it. About 3:45 he went out the entrance and trotted west along the sidewalk, passing his roosting place in the eucalyptus tree, evidently intending to go to his old house in the oak. There was now no perceptible wind. About 20 yards beyond the tree he was frightened by men cutting a lawn across the street and ran up the bank, under the fence and into the orchard. Here he continued his westward march, undoubtedly headed for his old roost, but soon stopped. I now joined him to watch the outcome, as it seemed that he might be hesitating between the two places. For about 30 minutes he remained in one spot listening to all sounds and apparently studying his surroundings, giving special attention to the trees to the north. At last he made at least a partial decision and reversed his course and went slowly, almost one step at a time very cautiously back to a point on the path opposite the eucalyptus tree. Here he hesitated, then went under the fence and, at 4:25 began his deliberate climb to the roost. He jumped across the gap to the roof of the house at 4:46 and settled on his final branch at 4:49. We have an example here of his behavior in making up his mind as to which of two roosting places to select. Whether the final decision was based on his "weather forecast" or upon reluctance to make the longer journey under conditions considered hazardous, or what, is not clear; but it is clear that, for some reason or other, he did not carry out his original intention, impulse, or whatever it was, to roost in his old house. 10:00 P.M. No wind at all; perfectly clear, temperature 51°. If we assume that Rhody's selection of place to roost tonight was based on his conception of the weather to be anticipated during the night hours, we must concede him --so far--three consecutive correct prognostications! Dec. 21st. (Sunrise 7:21, sunset 4:54). The day is lengthening "on one end" about as fast as it is shortening on the other. We are close to the winter solstice. Rhody's choice of night roost seems to have been justified by the weather, as the night remained calm. At 8:20 A.M. he was already up and sunning his back at the sage patch. (Julio says he was not in his roost at 7:15). (47°). Neo was not seen at 8:20, but Julio found him in his regular covert at 7:15 and gave him worms. He had been singing full song there a few minutes before. No other thrasher was with him.