1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus 4 (2 July) followed several minutes later by the nightwatch, whose identity I could not be sure of tonight, though I did see a tell-tale white out-of-place feather on his left side which I presume to have been the disarray due to a wing- streamer, meaning that it would be 8322 once again. 3 July 1000. Measured the kits. Development: upper mandible, claws all dark; toes, tarsi all grayish; lower mandible grayish. All feathers except red ones on crown broken thru their sheaths. Bare areas on (belly, sides and back still considerable but diminishing. Egg tooth still present on upper mandible only. Can hang on, climb well by now. Ear still prominent behind short head feathers. 1045. I've returned 2 of the babies, collared, and am going to wait for a couple feeding trips. 1124. 8261 fed. 1130. 916. 1131. 8261. 1135. Recovered quite a few food items. * 2055. At dusk tonight, it was 8322 again for sure roosting with the babies. Once again, at least 3 of them (I'll have to check about 8364) get together in the large Valley Oak (beforehand, where all but 8322 clearly are roosting. Thus, it's clear that this is an organized affair: 8322 knows he's the one to be in the nest and in most instances 8261 doesn't even come near the nest at dusk (see above, however--one night when both came). In particular, it's not just whoever happens by the nest first (or last) who stays. 4 July At dusk tonight I watched the large Valley Oak in hopes of seeing 8364. Not only did no-one at all