1978 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus School Hill Hastings Reservation 8 May 900. Checked around, but came up with no birds. 11 May 1150. Noone in any of the holes here. 12 May 1400. Checked holes. Also went up and opened the '74-5-6-7 nest hole just to see what's up. The problem with it turns out to be that there's ½-¾" of dirty water in the bottom of it. Thus they apparently won't nest there this year, if/when they finally get around to it. The heavy rains last winter have done in at least 2 holes now (Y, School Hill) and probably others as well. In normal years this factor probably is the largest single reason why new holes have to be used. 17 May 835. Watching- 852. 103 p.m. #86 down below field. 906. ♂♀+R/W.E. #419 there now. 935. Went around checking for holes. Also cleared out the '77 nest hole in hopes of inducing them to nest there after all. Best I can tell these birds have no nest as yet. Also, it seems quite likely at this point that 8256 is gone. That leaves only a pair here except for 8402, who wanders around a lot and at present is probably still down at the pump. 19 May Several birds roosting in the lower oak. Also one bird was went whizing off behind the '75-'77 nest tree, possibly to a hole back there? 22 May Purge: 8256. Last seen 4 Feb, gone by 6 May & Disappeared about 21 March 1978 ± 1 month. 24 May 1600. ♂ in lower hole in the lower Valley Oak. That's it. 25 May 1800. With the usual unpredicted difficulties (the sucker is