1981 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Haystack: Blonquitt Hastings Reservation 15 January 1230. Counted stores: 1959; I also took a sample of 50 acorns from the tree. 29 March Punje: 3576. Last seen 2 Dec. 1980 (Ron), gone by 21 Jan 1981 (Ron): Disappeared about 27 Dec. ± 2 wks. 5 April 945. Several birds (from 1800?) in lower portion of the territory by nest tree. ① 9484 in granary. ② 8 or 1m #173 here also. But lots of riff-raff on the peripheries... 1000. Counted stores: 960. 23 April 1420. Checked the nesthole here, where Mary had seen some activity, but nothing as yet. 7 May Ron found the nest here this morning—for the 1st time, it's not in the same old hole! 8 May 1030. Climbed up and opened the hole, which is a mere 2½ or so down below 4" of wood. After ~2 hrs of very cruel hanging and cutting, I got down to the 5 eggs. One had a hairline crack which may have been my fault, though I don't know how. In any case, it wasn't leaking or anything, so maybe it will be alright. 15 May 1600. Checked the nest: still 5 eggs; not hatched yet. 22 May 1400. Checked the nest: 3 babies, 2 noticeably larger than the 3rd, and 1 unhatched egg—the one with the hairline crack. It developed but didn't hatch; but I have to admit that at this point I don't see how I could have been the cause of the problem. The babies were ~6 dys old. 9 June 1400. Climbed up to band the babies, only to find that the nest was entirely empty! Since we haven't been watching