1977 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Plague (11 November) the row of trees by the upper barn! 1638. The ub♀ (I presume) just took off and headed ~½ way to Buckeye group. Maybe she doesn't live here after all (whew!). 1638. Now a bird just flew up from the canyon somewhere or other and headed straight off over toward MacRoberts. Bizarre indeed. Meanwhile 361 is still atop Plague. 1645. 9157 now low in Plague. Also a (Nowson cw) up in Blue Oak on kill above labs. 1700. Holy cow! A ♀ sitting in the line of trees by the upper barn appears to be ♀ w/De/Or#372 from Buckeye! 12 November 1445. 361 atop Plague. 13 November 1545. 361 here. 9157 working stores in Plague. 1600. No sign of anyone else. 322 (sigh) is gone. 1610. Meanwhile, there are at least 5 birds (all unbanded) quietly sitting/pecking away in the area just beyond the upper barn. Presumably these are Buckeye birds again. 1615. A chase—there may be 2 groups involved in all this. All still very quiet, however. Still no banded birds. 1620. 1 bird drank at the trough by the upper barn. Maybe that's part of what they're after? 1630. Another bird (3) went down and drank from the trough. Purge: 322. Last seen 17 September, gone by 16 October; → Disappeared about 30 September ± 2 weeks. 12 December 9157 atop 2° tree. Later, 361 was seen atop Plague. Counted stores: Plague: 1479 2nd tree: 0 Tel pole: 30