1988 Walter D. P"oenig Melanerpes formicivorus School Hill HNHR 3 February 800. An ambush this morning at the Lower Big Blue Oak (old nut hole) yielded 5 birds: 81260, 81384, 81385, 81388, and 81426, but not the 6th 8!! 1055. Finally a 6th bird from the hole - but also banded! (81387) 12 March *Group Update* 81386. Last seen 11 November '87, gone by 1 Jan. '88 → D.A. 6 Dec. ± 3 wks. 15 March Ambushes this morning yielded a big Zippo'. Partially because I was too stoned to realize that (remember) that the 2 new holes in the traditional nest tree (one facing the forest, the other the enclosure) now connect, the bottom of the former having been hollowed out! Remember next time that you have to ambush both holes, Dr. Ozone! 6 April Lots of birds (7, to be exact) when I walked by. Five were in a nice pack, as though they were doing some serious mate-guarding. None in any holes, however. 11 April 930. All quiet; none in any holes. Looks very suspicious. 940. I found them over in the forest. At least they look as though they're still mate-guarding! 12 April 1400. Watched here for 20 min. or so. Definitely still mate- guarding, roaring all other. None in any holes, either. Looks like it will be a while yet! 20 April Watched here this evening, not finding anything of special note with respect to a nest. But - I did watch a bird apparently roost out by himself on a limb high up in the 1st enclosure tree. Of course, I can't → see back