Manifestly with no clearly defined purpose controlling his actions. About 20 feet from the cage he stopped, "thought" about it and gobbled the mouse himself. It was not offered to R5. But the reproductive impulse is stirring and getting stronger. Soon, I suppose, it will be in full swing: wider wanderings, climbing to roofs and chimneys with and without food offerings, full song, etc. It is fascinating to see the unfolding of the well- known pattern with the advance of the season. As a concomitant, there is a gradual decrease in the use of his post on the west lot and earlier rising time. Perhaps the recent increase in food-intake is also a part of the picture. Certainly the bringing of objects to the mirror, lately taken up again but without display or vocal accompaniment as yet, is a sign of renewed sexual awakening. Although his interest in R5 is not at all keen, it doubtless is a contributing factor in drawing him away from the west lot and taking him to the cage again after such a long period of almost total avoidance. At 5 P.M. Rhody was not in his roost and had not been seen since last observation recorded. The hummers eat not less than twice as much of the new mixture as of the old. They did not take the Vfs. Brownie sang much during the forenoon, though intermittently, and wandered about a lot. Now that the ground is soft, his bill is chronically smeared with earth from his digging operations. He maintains contact with Nova much of the time, though occasionally he appears to lose her. February 1st. A strong south-east wind presaging arrival of another rain. Most birds sought cover out of the wind. Rhody could not be found after a couple of searches, until about noon, when he came, in response to call, out of the chapar- ral outside the north-west corner of the property. His only greet- ing was one low mutter. He took meat without snatching for it or retreating. I did not try to keep in touch with him during the rest of the day, further than to note that he was not in his regular roost as late as 5 P.M. Brownie appeared once for worms. R5 wanted only one mouse today. (Effect of increasing ac- cumulation of mouse hair?) No change with hummers. February 2nd. (Sunrise 7:13, set 5:33). (Yesterday's temps of order of 52 max., 41 min.; alternating sun and rain). At 9:15 A.M. Rhody was at his post on the west lot for a change--by the side of bush C. Although he cried on seeing me 80 feet away at the fence, the sound could not be heard at that dis- tance. He was given a small mouse. At 1:30, as I arrived about 100 feet from the cage, he and R5 were looking at each other calmly, about 4 or 5 feet apart, sep- arated by the wire. I hoped to observe thier actions without dis- turbing them, but when Rhody caught sight of me, he instantly for- got whatever it was he was doing, and ran to me quickly,