1978 Walter D. Koenig 4 Melanerpes fomicivorus El Batel, Durango Hwy, Sinaloa, Mexico, 5700 ft. (15 January) acorns. The time was 1530 and it was all about 100 ft. away from the dead pine. The oak was fairly large, but was in among the surrounding vegetation- not emergent. A search revealed no storage holes in it as far as I could tell. Subsequent observations: 1540: 288 still in tree. I just picked another acorn out of the canopy. 1545. A ♂ flew to a nearby bromeliad and landed on the edge, then reached inside it. Unfortunately I saw him take nothing out (could they store in these things?). One or 2 more birds giving some karrits now nearby. 3-4 birds here altogether. 1550. A ♀ now in a small sapling 25 ft up eating an acorn stuck into a vertical hole! A few more calls (all karrits) down the valley now. Possibly even another group. This all presents an intriguing picture of ATW life around here. Some obvious questions/speculation: 1) densities very low 2) few if any stores 3) oak phenology [+insects?] such that acorns are available on the trees throughout much of the winter 4) still in groups [288 for sure together here]. 5) no apparent dependence on emergent/open trees. 6) birds are not especially vocal. 7) This area needs more watching.