1980 R.L. Munne 18 Melanerpes formicivorus Plaque Hastings Reservation 16 May Watching from Adobe 0830. 0900, more ♀ dominance in 2° Valley Oak, ♀496 on top stub, ♀494 on copulatorium branch. D** ♂473 in tree nearby. ♀496 flies to join ♀494, and ♀494 pecks at ♀496 sharply several times. Pecks directed at body, base of tail, and head. ♀496 did not really try to escape. 1500, watching from cabin. 2 birds take a look at last year's nest hole, which Walter cleaned out yesterday. I also saw one fly [illegible] to the office Valley Oak where the 1st nest was. I also saw a good copulation in the 2° tree. C** I believe (but wasn't sure) it was between ♂473 and ♀494. Good tail twist, cloacal contact, 4-5 sec duration. The ♀ could have been ♀496, but I saw the copulation ♀ fly to the spot where a few minutes later I picked up ♀494. Roosting, I saw just 2 birds in the 2° tree, with a fine display of pre-roost mounting, plus one good-looking copulation. 17 May Watching 0830 from Adobe. 2 birds (♂473+♀494?) fly[illegible] on water-tank hill. Somebody took another quick look at last year's nest hole. Again from Cabin, ♂1820. For the last 20min, ♂521 here alone. Now ♀496 nearby. Where are the others? 1822, they fly in from water-tank hill area. Flycatching perhaps? 18 May Start watch 0730. Hooray, a bird (I believe ♀494) FINALLY goes into last years refurbished nest hole! Maybe they'll do it yet. Just before, a very modest dominance act between♀♀, alone on top stub of 2 tree. One quick peck,