1980 R.L. Mumme 23 Melanerpes formicivorus Plague (23 May) A runt may be merely an accident, and it may be possible for a ♀ to lay a good egg and a runt at the same time. However we'll have to check the literature. However, it may be that ♀494 laid the runt, and "didn't like the looks" of it, and tossed it out as well. It is also possible that ♀494 laid + tossed out her own good egg, but that is hard to figger. We'll have to see what happens tomorrow. Nonetheless, I'm fairly sure that ♀496 laid at least one of the eggs, since she was alone in the hole for at least a few short periods. We'll see what happens tomorrow! Watching group at 1355. ♂473, 2♀♀ in top of (1) Dom→ nest tree, ♀494 pecks at [illegible] feet + body of ♀496. (2) Again, moments later, 1530, more dominance. at top of nest tree, ♀494 pecks briefly at ♀496 (3) ♂473 not nearby this time. could have been acorn-related (4) Repeated moments later, ♂473 10m away in nest (5) tree. Another 5 min later. (back) Got association data. 3 birds in hole around 430, checked it, found nothing. At [illegible], 1715, 3 birds in hole again. search. 1830 - 1930, watch hole, nothing. Nothing at roosting, either 24 May Both ♀♀ lay today, essentially simultaneously! Here is the poop, with pairing data on reverse of P.24 0635(0535) start watch at nest. 0657, ♀494 ♂473 come to nest briefly 0703, Walter relieves me.