1981 R.L. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Road 3 2 April Start 1045. They are still harvesting acorns from the area SW of the granary, 1120, P265 enters nest hole, ♂68 goes to nest, leaves at 1022, 11024 enters again, leaves with wood chips 11030, ♂184 enters alone, tosses out wood chips. 11050 P265 enters nest again, followed by ♂184. 1158, ♀ leaves, sits on entrance to nest, 1205, ♀265 flies off, ♂68 follows immediately, ♂184 follows 5 sec later, leaving nest. I don't think they have eggs yet, but I'd bet they will soon. 1336 ♂84 enters hole, leaves 1340. End watch. 3 April Egg tossing experiment. A good plaster egg placed in the nest hole at 0630. Nest was empty. Ready + watching by 0650. Birds (at least 4) were still in the roosthole when I arrived at 0620. That is, they were all roosting in the "nest." 567 from intruding → Q801 ♂537 enters; 803 out; Lucres 806. 0820 ♀ intruder I read as metal/rod. Perhaps ♂567 from 41? A0? NB chased 6-1 ♂184, 0835. 925, Pathole, looks in a lot, then leaves w/o entering Shit! 1104, Same(?) banded ♀ intruder, chased actively by ♂265 1120. I'm giving up! ♀ hasn't been in hole. 4 April Check nest at 0930, and fake egg is gone! It weighed 5.80 → g, by the way. Was removed between 1130 yesterday and 0930 today. Successful experiment. Still haven't laid yet, though I have to think that they will soon. I'll check again tomorrow.