1981 R.C. Murrie 24 Melanerpes formicivorus Low Hay (16 May) Between the 10-20 granary, Sure enough, it proves to be ♀523, soaked to the skin and unable to fly. I then warm-dry her till until about 0920. She seemed uninjured and alert and gave a number of alarm screams, while I handled her. She also had a good cloacal swelling, a broad patch, and a large, hard object filling her abdomen (an incipient egg, no doubt). At 0920, I let ♀523 go on the trunk of the granary. She hitched weakly (but effectively) up a few meters before stopping in a sunny spot and resting. She sat there until about 0945, when the 3 other group members returned to the granary. About 0945, ♂461 flew down and started to peck/jump on the back of ♀523. ♀523 sat motionless and non-resisting for a few seconds, then I think she flew off, in the general direction of the roost tree, 1030, watching above granary, no sign of ♀523, but 3 other birds all here. ♀587 doesn't seem loose around. Also, no trace of ♂604 today. Perhaps she has given up. Doesn't look like anybody's paying much attention to the nest. I've seen ♀524 in, or ♂307, but they certainly aren't incubating with any earnest. 1120, Have just searched the grass between the granary and the roost tree (the flight path that I think I saw ♀523 take). Found nothing. I've also wandered around in the 2° area some, also seeing nothing. Is ♀523 still around? Is she still alive, even? What will become of the nest? Right