1988 Walter D Koenig Melanerpes fomcicivorus Blondtiree HNHR (24 May) second time he ended up whizzing out of the hole-possibly with something (he was not seen well) apparently chased by the ♀! Later he came again but was kept from the hole by the ♀, suggesting the possibility that he'd been bad. So, tomorrow I'll check, but in any case it's of interest to note 1) how active 8989 is, with 8769 "out of the picture", and 2) how disruptive of the social fabric of the group pulling 8769 out for only 2 days has been. 25 May Again a day of complete watches, starting ~5. 915. Checked the hole: still 4 eggs! 26 May 1140. Still 4 eggs and bird incubating. Halilula! 27 May 930. Still 4 eggs, not hatched yet. 2 June Mark's findings while I was gone: 28 May 830. Bird in hole. No sounds from nest. 30 May 900. Checked hole. 1 egg missing. Remaining 3 cold, bent in one of them. Also 3 tail feathers in hole.! 12 July 1120. Checked new nest (set up blind): only 1 baby left. (banded Blue). 13 July 700. Waiting with ambush set up for ♀. (Baby is still there.) 755. ① 8989 fed (acorn bits). 845. ♀ in vicinity; no sign of 8769 so far, however. 900. Guess I have to quit for now. 15 July 1830. Trying again; baby is still alive. 1846. 8989 fed. 16 July 630. Back again for more. 710. 8989 and FNOBA in granary. 830. Finally checked nest: The baby was, as feared, dead. Leaving. No sign of 8769!!