Data for free: How to estimate the association of non-focal subjects usinga focal window

We present a 'focal window' procedure for estimating associations between n on-focal animals, based on focal data. The estimate is based on the time th at two non-focal animals spend simultaneously proximal to a third, focal an imal, relative to the time that would be expected given their independent a ttraction to this animal. Simulations showed that the error of the estimate was low when at least one of the three associations in the triad was high.