1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Finch Hastings Reservation (11 July) ③ jM/or- #389; ④♂ ⑥6. 1536. Wow! Here's the scene: ② (232?) atop the nest tree softly barrit-cutting; j389 at a hole just below here; ⑥6 at the '76 nest hole. Suddenly several alarm calls go out, by the ② and from 1-2 other AW elsewhere. The ② flies down to one of the holes. A Cooper Hawk lands on the horizontal limb, then appears to grapple with (or attack someone, who if true could only have been the baby (j389). I unfortunately did not see this through the scope so I could not be sure what he did. In any case, the hawk disappeared just below the limb so I go tearing off to the scene to look for any remains (i.e. a mortally wounded AW) but found nothing. Everything now very quiet! 1553. ⑥6 still here; also ②232. Both now near the nest tree barrit-cutting. 1615. The birds haven't recovered yet - noone here; all quiet. 1656. These birds are still touchy as hell. Now 1♂ in nest tree: ③ ⑧ur-yl / 8ik-LB #67. 1707. ⑥ j38-wm(n)/Red #388 at a hole in the nest tree. 1715. It's clear I'll have to make another go at it. There are still 2 babies here (at least), who are now in the nest tree. But if j389 isn't seen again, I think his demise will be traceable to this afternoon. 1717. ② j4-DA(n)/M #386 here. Also ⑥ ⑧ub. 1725. Another general alarm sent everybody to holes. I'd best come back someday when the hawks aren't zeroing in on these poor blokes.