1985 Walter D Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Road] HNHR 28 April 1115. Checked the nest: still the same 7 eggs; warm. 1 May 1740. Still not hatched. 2 May 1820. " " 5 May 1630. 4 babies hatched. 3 eggs did not: 2 were not developed (#2 & 7), while #4 had developed but did not hatch. 11 May I watched this morning here for Control Day#1. Weather was cool but not unpleasant. Lots of feeding by lots of birds. Afterwards 2 of the babies were switched to Finch for the day, 12 May I watched for experimental day #2. The 2 babies were then returned from Finch. 13 May Control day #3. I added 2 babies from Finch. 14 May ! I watched for 1 hour, during which time #269 made 3 visits, staying a long time each time. Finally #383 showed up with food, ate it herself, entered, and then turned around and left right away. That did it - I stopped the watch and checked the nest: 3 of the babies had had their heads completely eaten, a fourth's skull had been smashed and partly eaten - possibly owl predation?? Only ! This also means that 1 baby was removed totally Blk, one of the Finch babies, survived (he was cold but tk) so I removed them all and will hang onto The survivor until I can return him to Finch following Vas's watch. 25 May 1000. Bird in hole... (same one in sycamore). 1445. Checked hole: empty. Could be time to watch for egg - tossing! 26 May Stanback watched this morning: 2 (normal) eggs were laid.