1983 R.C. Mumme Melanerpes formicivorus Lower Haystack 24 April Watching here 1230 for signs of mate guarding. 1330, looks like no guarding. Difficult to tell, but it looks like the ♀ are following the ♂ around. Twice the birds flew toward (n=1) and away (n=1) from the granary en masse of 5, and in each case it was a ♂ that led the group. Also checked the hole + found no eggs. 28 April Susan reports a rust egg tossed by ♂524 (createn) 29 April Susan reports ♂587 lays normal egg, tossed by ♂524 (see her notes) 30 April Susan reports ♂587 lays normal egg; tossed + cat by ♂524 (see her notes) 1 May ♂587 lays another normal egg, tossed + dropped (because of ♂ interference) by ♂524. See Susan's notes After Susan's watch, I try to get some mate guarding data, but things were very, very confusing. Some M6 "data" (to use the term loosely) can be found on the back. But the real "highlights," were ① Twice I saw ♂858 chase + peck at ♂524. Those two are not getting along well. ② At one point I absolutely certainly saw 2 ♂NB's perched together in the granary, quite peacefully, too. Is he a brother of these ♂ that is just visiting, or what ③ The (or one of the) ♂NB pecked hard at ♂858 once and also at ♂587. ④ ♂858 may be guarding ♂587, and a ♂NB may be guarding ♂524 (I saw the latter couple briefly exchange mounts).