1979 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Arf, top Hastings Reservation 9 November 1730. After many years of wondering and wandering by this territory I have finally succeeded in finding their roost tree - a Blue Oak off to the north of ARF. Three birds roosted in it this evening, and it is definitely ripe for an ambush. 10 November 1330. Set up the ambush. 1722. Three birds roosted here again tonight. Should be dead meat. 11 November 630. The ambush went perfectly. The 3 birds were all unbanded, and are now #S27, S28, and S29. S27 was definitely an adult; the other 2 (S28, S29) have all the characteristics (including darkish eye, heavy tailspots, etc.) to be expected from first-year birds. If so, I have to wonder whether there are more birds here or if the group is really composed of 1 adult ♂, a 1st-yr ♂, and a 1st-yr ♀. I also want to report the most amazing encounter which during the ambush proceedings. I was up in the tree trying to take the birds out of the net-bag; they were screaming as usual. Hearing a noise below, I looked down and saw something - a jackrabbit (I thought (!) - running up towards the tree. In a flash I felt a claw at my thigh, looked down, and - having in that brief instant already missed the beast's climb up and down the tree - saw a Bobcat bounding away off into the woods. Clearly, he'd heard the screams and zoomed in expecting breakfast; I felt rather fortunate he didn't have me for his first course! 18 November In passing by here today I was fairly certain that the bird