1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Arnold I Hastings Reservation 18 April 900. Finally opened the hole all the way, only to discover 7 (!) eggs, all rather fresh. Even though I've apparently blown another chance to prove 2 ♀♀ were laying (no doubt this is the work of the 2 ♀♀ here), the eggs fall into 2 distinct groups: large (length 26.0-26.5) and small (24.0-24.5) of 3 eggs each, plus 1 runt. Definitely a good nest. As an aside, an hypothesis I just thought of for the "function" of runt eggs is as a synchronizing cue- a signal among group members, especially, as in this case, 2 ♀♀, that the time is right to begin laying. Obviously to support this I'd have to show that runt eggs are laid first, among other things. 19 April 900. A blow: the nest is totally cleared out. The possibilities would seem to be either predation or abandonment by the birds followed by some sort of predation. For the latter possibility, I had not seen a bird in the hole at all yesterday, ever since I'd first opened the thing on the 17th, even though there were eggs then. Also, "precisely" the same event occurred last year in the same hole with the same birds. Unfortunately, I of course don't know what happened, but I certainly hope they try again. 24 April 1520. 3 or so birds flushed from the granary when I walked howards it. At least the birds are still here. 3 May 1145. At least 2 birds inside the nest hole in the granary here and a 3rd nearby. Maybe they'll try again right in the same place. 1600. Bird in hole again.