1987 Walter D Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Plague (14 April) 530 got here at [illegible] and already saw several birds in the hole (I imagine they may have roosted there last night again). At about [illegible] 700, 8723 was in the hole, the ♀ then entered followed shortly by a 2nd ♂, unidentified (!) but no markings were seen. Upon exiting, a ♂ tossed an egg. No markings were seen, but Katy says she was not able to see the yellow forehead markings yesterday either (she's now watching from the hill to take a book). I came down at about 800 to find the hole empty. Somehow we blew it and did not see who tossed either egg. However, I suppose it's inescapable that 8521 probably did it. [illegible] What this, I suppose means, (at best) is that taking birds out does mess up confidence of paternity such that the birds toss anyway (e.g. The experiment doesn't control for what we want it to). 15 April Katy watched this morning; no eggs laid, although the ♀ did go to the hole. Guarding appeared generally weak. 16 April 1400. Hole still empty. (1st laid on 17 April, 2nd on 18 Apr) 20 April Birds laid their 3rd egg today. They are incubating as far as I can tell, and 1 bird is spending the night in the nest, but I couldn't tell who. See back for the current data on who's doing what at the nest. 21 April 830. Still 3 eggs. *! Note: Mark reports 4 eggs at 1800!! ≠ 1920. Tonight: success at least: 8721 is roosting in the nest. (Note that 8723 is doing the bulk of incubation, so I should try and catch 8521 again!)