1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanarpes formicivorus Road 1 Hastings Reservation (10 May) 1300. Up at the hole, there are still 6 eggs. 12 May 1500. Bird in hole. 13 May 1915. 2 birds in hole. Went up: still 6 eggs. 20 May 1020. Bird in hole. 25 May 1515. Opened hole: 46 babies, 2 eggs. The babies were measured, etc.; their eyes have not opened yet and the feather papillae on the most developed have not quite broken the skin yet. The 2 eggs that failed to hatch were both removed. Both were later examined, and both did contain forming embryos - 1 6mm in length and the other 8 mm. So, all 6 eggs were at least fertile. 8 June 1820. Several birds in the nest area; bird in nest hole; may have flushed a bird from the '75 late nest hole also. 12 June 1400. Banded the 46 babies as #406,407,408, and 409. 13 June 1000. Counted stores: Valley Oak 382 ? Nest free: 251 / 633 13 July 1440. Watching. (1) PRW#183 and (2) j/or/DP#409 seen on way in. 1505. (3) F/LGW#354 sapsucking here near the granary. 1510. (4) B/RW#222 also here sapsucking 1513. j409 in perch tree by road with a ♀. 1523. (5) PRed/DB-WN(n) #295 hawking in perch tree. Joined by (6) M/#293. 1530. 2 more babies appeared with j409 in granary: (7) j26-26/M#406 and (8) j46-Br/m#407. One to go... 1532. These 3 babies all together in granary begging from #354. 1535. Thought I got a glimpse of jM, [who would be 408] but not sure 1550. (9) Pub and another hint of j408: ?(!) LB/Red-Yellow (?) (seen only very briefly - colors better than sex!)