1979 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus School Hill Hastings Reservation (2 September) over; all separated. 886 drilling on green acorn. 1735. ♀ flew in between the ♂♂. 8402 flew across to other side. ♀ moved toward 886; 886 moved over. Now 8402 on left, ♀ in middle eating acorn, 886 on far right. Still separated. ♀ flew to left hand limb; 8402 moves away toward 886. Now sitting just below 886. * 886 1st then { ♀, then 8402 } 1738. 886 flew down somewhere; others remain (separated by ~10') 1739. ♀ flew off in same direction as 886. 886 here alone for ~15 seconds, then he flew off as well. 1741. 886 seen in Blue Oak below granary. *→ 1743. ♀ returns w/acorn, followed immediately by 8402, also with an acorn; then within a few seconds 886. ♀ flew to left; 886 high, 8402 high-to-right. 8402 storing ½ acorn here. More switching. 886 goes down and eats part of ♀'s acorn after she leaves. 1750. All still sitting. 1800. Ditto. 1809. Pre-roost mounting! 886 flew up toward (by) the ♀. Just as he got near her, 8402 flew over. With all 3 together, 8402 hopped on top of 886, and the ♀ hopped on the back of 8402, creating a true menage à trois for 1-2 seconds. Immediately following the dismounting 8402 hopped on the back of the ♀ briefly, following which both ♂♂ moved off. This included nothing remotely resembling a copulation. Now all sitting separately again. *→ 1810. ♀ flew off. Both ♂♂ remaining, 8402 flew off, followed 5 sec. later by 886. ♀ *→ 1811. ♀ returned, 886 right on her heels, 2' away. 15 sec. later joined by 8402, who landed in between the ♀ and 886. *→ 1813. 8402 flew off, leaving the other 2. ♀ followed 10 sec. later.