1981 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Plague 23 April new arrivals (plus #3) tomorrow. Egg #5 looked like the work of Q494, and egg #5 was pretty small, although not approaching runtness. Watching near the cabin, 1700. 1745, ♂622 of 1500 intrudes here, chased by ♂521 24 April Nest check at 1540, No new eggs(!). But a ♀ I think Q496, is the hole as I arrived. Will somebody lay tomorrow? Measurements of eggs #4 r #5: (4) 496? 24.3 X 17.5 failed to hatch (5) 494 25.6 X 19.3 failed to hatch 25 April Nope. Nest check at 1540, No new eggs. Clutch complete at 5 eggs, the wimpiest 2♀ nest on record. 29 April Nest check 1230. Still 5 eggs, Introduce a plaster egg to the nest, 1 May Nest check 1830. 5 eggs, plus plaster egg. Fake egg not removed after 48 hours. Die introduced into nest 4 May Nest check 1200: Hatching: 3 Babies, from eggs 1, 2 + 3. Shells of all 3 eggs still in nest, so I would say All 3 hatched today, 4 May Eggs (4)(5) still unhatched. Also, die was still there: Not removed within 48 hours. 9 May Nest check 1630. 3 babies, eggs (4) & (5) still present: Did not hatch. But it looks like embryos are at least partially developed; Babies banded weighed: (1) BPnk-whr(N) 25.3 g (2) Or - Brown 20.8 g (3) 20.0g (not banded)