1981 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Gate (30 April) Outside, I flush them out, and they fly off in a very tight pack of 3. I go up to the "nest" and find (once again) no eggs. But the bottom has a much nicer cushion of wood chips than I remember from past checks 1520, watching for awhile here. ♂♂ still definitely hot following the ♀. May even be showing more tight packing than previously. ♀601 is missing again 4 may Nest check at 1700. Of course, the nest still has no eggs, even though I've been seeing birds in or at the hole virtually constantly. However, the bottom is now very nice and well cushioned. Tomorrow? 5 may Introduce 2 eggs to the nest at 0615, trying to get egg-tossing photo. At 0635, ♀ entered, followed closely by first one ♂, then another. 0710, everybody leaves Nest check 0830. 2 fake eggs, plus one real one. (#1) She finally laid today, but did not throw out the two plaster eggs beforehand. Hmm! Why didn't she? Could she have had to lay at exactly that time, no later? Anyway, egg #1 laid 5 may, about 0640. Watching 1720 ♀601 metal/war-creeper here, after along absence at @1755, all 4 birds in top of granary, both ♂♂ peck hard at ♀601. Watched until roosting, when I'm pretty sure all 3 cone birds roosted in the nest. The ♀ went in very early, and the two males just flew around the hole after that. Saw pre-roost mounting between the ♂♂ (with no aggression) Late, I saw ♀519 fly to a ♂ and give a precopulatory