1978 Ronald L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus General Notes 14 Dec At Hastings on 12 Dec, Walt and I had a pretty interesting after-dinner discussion on Acorn Woodpecker sociobiology, particularly on aspects that I might be able to study. I mentioned some of my ideas on intra-group behavior, perhaps attempting to measure the relative contributions of group members to "group welfare." I think I could identify seven areas that could be pursued. 1) Contributions to Incubation, Brooding, and Feeding of nestlings -- Walter says he has some data on this, but not enough. There is a lot of variation involved, and what he has is "almost uninterpretable." 2) Predator defense + dissuasion -- Walter has seen AW mobbing great horned owls at dusk. Experiments with stuffed owls might be informative. As for Accipiters or snakes, Cardboard cutouts like Bruce Barbour used would be possible, but probably much more difficult, in the former case, and snakes are such a minor predator, Walter thinks them unimportant. Perhaps stuffed mammals at nest cavity? Ask Walt. 3) Contributions to Acorn Storage -- Again, walter has some data, but screwy. In some cases juveniles store just as much as adults. Worth investigating 4) Contributions to granary construction/maintenance, nesthole construction/maintenance. -- Happens so rarely and infrequently, might be difficult to do. I didn't discuss this with Walter, but I should mention this next time we talk.