1982 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Plaque (15 April) then flies off 0811. Big trouble: I climb up to the branch, and measure the now broken egg: 25.5 x 17.8 mm. Clearly not a rutt, and clearly the work of 9496, who threw it out. Oh Dear: In addition to the puncture, there was a hairline crack around most of the egg, but I was able to pick it up, measure it, and put it back on the branch without destroying it. The only consolation in all this is that I think I got a nice photo of 9446 leaving the nest with the egg. 0830, I set up the camera for Leslie to take pictures of birds eating the egg. See her notes for a running account. At 1030, I return to find egg shell in two fragments, one large, one small which I photograph. I then get back in the blind and get one perhaps OK photo of 521 holding up the large egg fragment before flying off. Leslie also reported that 9496 removed more wood chips during her watch from 0830 - 1030. This sounds suspiciously like 9496 has not gotten her act together. We'll see what happens tomorrow. 16 April More weird stuff today at Plaque: 9494 alone lays, and her egg is thrown out by 521! What is wrong with these birds, anyway? 0605, watching hole: Checked at 0600, empty. 0615, a starling enters nest hole, I scare him out. Back in the blind at 0618: