1981 R.L. Mumme 6 Melanerpes formicivorus 1800 19 may Nest check 1600. Only 3 eggs! Once again, an egg mysteriously disappears from the nest at about the time of hatching. I heard peepings from the other 3 eggs, so I'll bet hatching will be tomorrow. 20 may Roosting, and a switch! One ♂ was in the hole, looking out, and ♂347 (certain I saw the metal lower left) came and entered as well. I waited quite late to see if anyone would fly out, but no one did. Thus, ♂476 and ♂347 both roasted in the nest 21 may Nest check 1130. 2 eggs have hatched, 1 egg not yet hatched. 23 may Another nest check, 0900. 2 babies, 1 u-hatched egg (#2) removed. Perhaps the egg that disappeared was #3, the egg with the bizarre "central" air cell. I should have opened the nest than to find out. However, I don't think it could have produced a normal nestling, so it probably was the one that disappeared 24 may Roosting. One bird roasted, and judging by the fact that I couldn't see anything on its leg, I would guess that ♂476 roasted. (I should have been able to see the metal if ♂347 roasted. 25 may (♂562 seen at Low Hay) Roosting, ♂476 alone again. 26 may ♂561, ♂562, ♀565 intruding at Blow one, 1010. Nest check 1200, 2 healthy babies ① BPar-wht (N) 26.0 g ② NB 19.5 g Had trouble getting the babies out. I really should have made the cut quite a bit bigger