First brood out of nest 32 days. I left about 9 A.M., returning at 1 P.M., and looked up the thrashers at once. Both young birds were near the N.E. corner and wandered over to me to get worms. Those for Weak had their heads removed and were also cut into two or three pieces. I thought that, as he seems to have been unable to crush the worms in his bill enough to kill them, perhaps the clawing of their feet might have induced vomiting in his weakened condition, and the tough heads were probably more or less indigestible as well; further if he has a sense of taste, the "custard" that exudes from the cut ends might prove attractive; still further, the cut worms might give up their insides even though he might be unable to digest the skins. He seemed to appreciate the change and began to reach for the pieces and take them (a first for him) from my fingers. Neo feeds first brood after 2nd. begins to hatch. Neo hove in sight while this was going on and both youngsters deserted me promptly and went to him and he fed them; so then, he will feed the old brood after the new one (or one of them) has arrived. They have been out of the nest 32 days. Shortly after this both were again fed in another spot. This time Rhody "butted in" and had to be prevented from interfering with the young birds. For a weakling Weak covers a surprising amount of ground within the garden. 6 P.M. Weak was given beheaded worms several times again during the afternoon; each time coming to take them from the fingers. He has not been seen to disgorge worms since he was first fed this morning. Again Rhody butted in upon one of these events and had to be driven off. He is so sure of his welcome, however, and our good faith, that he does not take these repulses seriously to heart. 6:30 P.M. Weak, after running away down to the gate when he caught sight of me just now, changed his mind and climbed a bank to reach me; again taking cut-up worms from hand. Ants have not again invaded the nest, The treatment given the thrasher nest to repel ants has proved effective so far. Not one has been seen in the sprayed area since the work was done. A difficult time for the first brood. Aside from sickness and enemies this is a difficult time for the two young birds of Neo's first brood, as, while Neo does feed them, as recorded, his action is more or less perfunctory (when they obtrude themselves upon his attention) and not now one of his major functions. For several days--even before the arrival of the first one of his second brood of the year--they have been compelled to get most of their food without his assistance and that of his mate. Naturally, also, as one of the parents is on the nest all of the time, they have been, whether intentionally or not, restricted in food supply. Rhody has been neglecting his nest 5-38 the last few days and 1-38 (in his house) has been receiving all his attention; mostly by merely sitting in it. However, once today, when he followed me to the tool-house, he suddenly caught sight of a mouse nest that I had laid on a bed of "myrtle" (Vince minor) for the use of various birds in their nesting operations, picked it up and carried it quickly to his house-nest. During my absence today, Julio says that Rhody again went through his new tactics (including the wankh) when offered a mouse.