1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Plague (25 May) gave a short "waka" and all 3 birds separated and went about their business. Again, several minutes later, ♂361 tried to mount the ♀, but this time ♂22 was there and again nothing came of it. Something to think about in view of some of this is a "surveillance" tactic for ♂♂: a reason for the cohesiveness of groups at this time could in part be ♂♂ not letting the ♀ out of their sight, for fear that 1) she might be ready to copulate and they wouldn't be there and 2) someone (another ♂) would be there. There is an obvious competition going on here between the ♂♂. Too bad they don't seem to be up for Greeting -- By the way, no one ended up roosting in the telephone pole that I saw, but I think all 3 may have roosted in a heretofore undiscovered hole in the 20 tree. 26 May 915. ♀ and ♂361 atop Plague; 3rd bird (♂22?) flew to trees by main bridge. → 918. ♀ gleaned a Malacosoma larva, then thrashed it about as I saw up at L. Haystake yesterday. Ate the thing. 925. ♂361 to Upperbarn; ♀ in Plague. 930. ♀ cawnicked several times, then joined both ♂♂ in Sycamore by foot bridge. ♀ flew down low (?). ♂♂ within inches of each other. 935. ♀ rejoining them; landed between them. 945. ♀ took off with others to side of Watertank Hill. 955. Can't see anybody anymore. 1000. ♂22 returned to sycamore. 1005. ♂22 inside Plague. Leaving.