1981 R.L. Mumme 3 Melanerpes formicivorus 1500 (27 April) Nest checked 0945. A new egg, marked #3 and returned. Probably laid about 0745 or so. 28 April Nest checked 1800. Egg #4, laid today, marked and returned. Eggs warm. Incubation probably in progress. 29 April Nest check 1600. Egg #5, laid today, marked 3 May Nest check 1230 6 eggs! The sixth probably laid 30 April, or conceivably 1 May. #6 still looked fairly fresh. (1) 25.0 x 19.7 (25 April) (2) 25.2 x 20.3 (26 April) (3) 24.3 x 20.2 (27 April) (4) 24.5 x 20.1 (28 April) (5) 24.6 x 19.8 (29 April) (6) 24.7 x 19.6 (30 April) (or 1 May) 11 May Nest checked 1530 All 6 eggs have hatched. ① Blue back stripe 14.5g ② Blue Rwing & heel 13.3g ③ Blue L wing & heel 11.0g ④ Green R flank 9.8g ⑤ Unmarked 4.5g ⑥ runt (green all over) not weighed All hatched by 12th day after clutch completion. I would bet that at most only 4 of these guys will make it. 17 may Nestcheck 1330. Sorry to report that not a trace of the food coloring marks is still visible after 6 days Anyway 4 nestlings: I'm sure that the 2 really