1982 R.L. Munne Melanerpes formicivorus Plaque Hastings Reservation (14 April) was sloshing around in the opposite end. The egg was fixed in a crevice on the horizontal part of the limb. Very little yolk albumen remained, about 1-2mm deep. The egg was "vertical" [blunt end up], not horizontal. This rutt, judging by the reddish color, seems to have had a yolk. Oh, I did of course check the hole after all this: It was indeed empty. Left 0850 By 0930, I had walked up here with camera to try to get some pictures, but the egg had disappeared. Thrown out at 0700, gone by 0930. 1545, getting guarding data. See reverse. As was the case last week, the 2 breeding ♂ appear to be at fairly closely guarding ♀494, although ♂473 seems to slip off by himself occasionally. Both ♂ are ignoring ♀496, although even though she was the bird that laid the rutt egg today: Very strange. This afternoon, the birds spent a lot of time flying back and forth from the nest area to the quarry area (where I was watching from), so I would take that as a good sign that these birds are serious this time. We'll see what happens. 15 April A very distressing day here: In short, ♀496 laid a normal egg, then removed it herself. The gory details follow. Watching hole 0610. Hole checked 0600: EMPTY. 0619 ♀496 enters, looks out. BP 0620 0624 LO: 0625 BD: