is changing". February, usually one of our finest months, was a complete "washout", literally and figuratively. March, usually one of our most disagreeable months, however, has run true to form! (And "then some!"). The thrashers are comfortable when in their nest, protected from the rain by the roof installed for their benefit. At 9:30 Rhody, meek and disconsolate looking, stood in the pouring rain looking at the kitchen door wistfully, as I thought, when I came upon him there. I watched him (as I had nothing to offer) as he walked up the steps and "got a handout" from Julio, of Ham- burger, just like a tramp at the back-door. He would only pick little crumbs off of it, so I got a mouse for him. He brightened up at once when he saw the red box and reached into it promptly to extract its occupant. He was inclined to accord it seasonal ritual, but after one faint manifestation, gobbled the creature. N2 plays a "dirty trick" on Neo At 12:05 I went to the thrasher nest, finding Neo apparently just off (as he was dry) and eager for worms. I filled him up and he carried four to the nest and there offered them to N2. with soft clickings rapidly uttered; but, instead of taking them from him, she ducked down beneath his bill and ran away, leaving Neo looking blankly down into the nest. There was nothing for him to do but take over the job of incubation and eat the worms himself. This looked like a dirty trick played on him by N2: one which I suspect she has resorted to before. She would not come to me for worms. Testing Rhody with imaginary worm. I now went to look up Rhody--nearly stepping on him as he stood, huddled up, (raining) on the path near his nest. He was pleased to catch tossed worms. To test his powers of association I feinted at tossing him a worm and he immediately looked all about his feet to see where the imaginary insect had landed. After this he was, of course, given real worms. Later in the day he was given another mouse, which was accorded full ritual, carried about, and not eaten for several hours. He was not heard to sing during the day; worked little on his nest, but sat in it for long periods at a time. Thrasher incubation continued faithfully. Mar. 24th. (Sunrise 6:09, sunset 6:25). The day day dawned clear. Thrasher song (probably by Neo) was heard at about 6 A.M., soon ceasing (as he took his turn at the nest?). At 7:25 A.M. Rhody was in his new nest in the peppermint gum, but came down when I spoke to him, looking very impertinent. Sutton's painting of a road-runner head in his Birds in the Wilder- ness illustrates precisely the pose of his head as he looked at me and the pert, animated expression. He went directly to the magpie cage to study its occupants at close range with bill almost against the wire and an expression of intense concentration as he followed their every movement by shifting his eyes and head. Every now and then he would "gather" as if to spring at them only to relax slightly from his tense pose. I left him still engaged, but found him again in his nest at 8:20, where he stayed until 9, then came down for one twig and was still sitting quietly (except for an occasional whine) at 9:30. It now began to rain drearily as if it would never stop;