1979 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Lower Haystack Hastings Reservation (25 March) 1120. Now ♀ub is still here and ♂307 has returned and is busy chasing an ♂ub. 1125. ♀ is busy Wake ing to everybody and generally acting quite new and happy to be here. ♂ub is in 2nd tree. Now ♂ub flew back to main tree, which is being vigorously defended by ♂307. ♀ub greets both, however. 1130. More chasing. ♂ub gives chatters just prior to being chased by ♂307, but to no avail. ♂ub being quite persistent, really. 1140. Intruder ♂ still here, but keeping his distance. ♀ looks set. No sign of any other group "members". Counted stores: 154. ♀ still here, calling, almost oblivious of us. ♀ hawking (got one of those large black Carabid beetles [ ]). ♀ is sitting in the Valley Oak granary above us, gives occasional Garricks (Wrikes?) and Karit-cuts. Could be because of us, but I think not. No other ♀♀ here. She is aware of ♂307 over on the knoll, and these could just be signals to him. But these Garricks should potentially attract other intruders—and why would that be to her advantage? She is the only ♀ "contesting" for this spot at the moment. Why should she advertise it? Possibly this has to do with the ♂ who's being chased? Very odd. Quite a few Garricks. 26 March Ron came by here today and didn't see the ♂ at all, but did notice the unbanded ♀. Also (on 25 March actually) Ron noted 1 bird (only) roosting in the hole in the main granary.