1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Hastings Reservation 9 June 1140. Watching nest. ♂ in hole. N.B. both left hole. 1210. ♀16 came, but was scared off by me. ♂ still in hole. 1215. I'm too close. This time ♂RR came, other ♂ flew out, then ♂RR flew of else, probably because of me. 1220. New spot. No one in hole now. 1315. Noone's returned yet. Guess I'll try again tomorrow. 11 June 1000. Watching nest. ♂ in hole. 1018. ♀16 took over. ♂ left hole. 1055. ♂261 took over. ♀ left hole. 1145. ♀16 back again. 1211. ♂322 came, but did not stay. ♀ still in hole. 1230. Leaving. ♀ still in hole incubating. 12 June 1020. Watching nest. ♂ in hole. 1054. ♀16 took over. (Somehow the pattern here seems to be predictable) 1141. ♂322 landed at hole, then flew off. ♀ left hole, which is navegely. 1210. Nobody's returned as yet. I'm leaving. (There's also an accipiter in the canyon here somewhere, I might add, possibly aiding in keeping the birds away), 15 June 1130. Flushed a ♂ out of the hole to check the eggs, which are all warm and opaque and fertile. 16 June 1130. Flushed ♀16 out of the hole. All 4 eggs are still warm and unpipped. I drew a line around the 4th one so I can be sure to identify it when it hatches. 1900. Checked the nest again. All 4 eggs are pipping - plus one egg can hear weak cheeps and an occasional click from the eggs themselves. ♀16 was in the hole. #3 egg was most advanced - with a small hole already, other 3 with small dents only.