Howell, T.R. 1950 S. varlus ssp. 29 mi. SW of Princeton, ft., British Columbia May 19 (cont'd.) The "rattle" seems to be characteristic of a bird leaving a nest site, as I do not recall hearing it at any other time. Also, it seems that if the bird working at the nest does not stop when its mate arrives, it loses its chance to be replaced, so to speak, and the mate leaves. This is not invariable, of course, but I have seen it often. May 20 - no sapsuckers seen or heard in the morning; weather lousy. See journal. At 4:15 P.M. I was at the r-n. nest. At 4:17 r. appeared, hitched about and preened, but did not work. Then 2 tattoos were heard; r. screamed 5 times after the 2nd. At 4:32 n. came over to the tree; r. then began to look in the nest, and n. left with a rattle; then r. left. I heard squawks, screams, and yelps, and some tattoos - this was from about 200 yds E., where there is a nuchalis territory. I went over this way, and heard squawks close by. n. was perched crosswise on a branch, and r. approached her lengthwise, his crown feathers up, and mounted her; n. was facing towards me, and had her head laid far back between her scapulae. I was too close, and r. seemed to notice me, climbed off and flew away. N. remained in the same position for a moment, then began preening. It was now 5:00 PM. More tattoos came from nearby, at a place about 150 yds from the r-n. nest. One bird tattooed