1981 Walter D. Koenig 4 Melanerpes formicivorus Black Oak Hastings Reservation (10 June) 930. Giving up watching the nest. 950. Counted stores: Central area: 2112-7 2272 Side area: 160 } Stores slightly diminished in side area and in the fallen tree, but otherwise these birds are still well supplied. 1645. After wading through the Poison Oak and sawing through 5" of solid oak I was able to confirm that they have 1 egg in the new hole! It was marked and returned. Note that the babies from the 1st nest won't fledge for at least another 4-5 days. 11 June Arrived at 543 and watched the new hole until 730, during which time only 8624 came into view, sitting at the hole for several seconds to chase off a Nut-hatch. At that point I checked the hole with the peeper, seeing the same (marked) eggs inside, and moved the hide over to watch both holes. 856. 8320 by herself poking around in the side storage area (the hanging limb tree). (Seen well: 8 red-light / m red-light / m) No sign of any 88 following her. 945. 8320, 8427, 8102, plus a 2nd 8 all together in side storage area. Still no interest in the new hole, though the babies are at least getting fed. 948. 8497 here also. 8320 by herself again; others apparently gone off following 8427. 8321 here. 952. An interesting exchange: one of the 88 sat with food in her bill, the other a few inches away. The 2nd bird reached over several times and literally grabbed some of the food