1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Haystack-Blouquist Hastings Reservation 4 June Watched feedings from 9:50-12:50. Bints were feeding almost exclusively insects (1 trip with acorns seen), especially those big black beetles which I couldn't identify for sure. I did climb up to an anvil afterwards, however, and recover numerous legs and elytra, so hopefully I'll be able to soon. Compilation is on the back. Note: the large black beetles are definitely Carabids. (probably genus Calosoma). In the annex is a specimen seemingly identical to this beast labelled as a Calosoma semilaeve. Fresh wt. of one of these beasts was 55gm. 10 June 1730. Got the babies, 4 of whom made it, to band (as #448 to 451) and bled. Year grand total now 11. 11 June 1720. Being worried about the kits (all 4 of whom I left to descend the 65cm deep nest hole on their own) I went up and checked them: all 4 are fine. 15 June Watched the nest today from 1325-1625. No surprises except at the very end, when an intruder was chased briefly in the nest tree, after which ♀ WND #260 from 1807 showed up at the nest hole and bantered with the begging babies for 30 seconds (never making it inside the hole) before being discovered and chased away. See compilation on back. She stayed at the lip the entire time, dipping in several times but not seemingly making it through the babies begging just inside the hole. She appeared to peek at them as she tried to dip into the hole. 16 June Watched the nest today for the final time from 7:45-9:45 (the babies are quite close to fledging. Compilation is on the back of p.7.