Minnesota experienced a pleasant summer except for a period of humid weather during the first two weeks of September. Rainfall was light in August. October was an exceptional month, the fall foliage was gloriously beautiful and temperatures mild. Frost occurred in northern Minnesota September 29 and killing frost throughout the state October 19.

This cold spell was of short duration.

Many species of migrants took advantage of the mild weather and lingered a few days longer than they usually do.

One Horned Grebe and one Eared Grebe were found on Minneapolis lakes September 29. Several Common Loons were also present.

Between 250 and 300 White Pelicans were seen near Norwood, Carver County, September 15-17 by Lester Badger. In late September about 100 White Pelicans were reported at Heron Lake, Jackson County by Howard Cleaves.

September 3 there was a large concentration of Great Blue Herons near Shakopee, Scott County. Among them there were about 50 Common Egrets.

John Hall reported that there were several Yellow-crowned Night-Herons in a slough adjacent to St. Paul, Ramsey August 12.

The first report of migrating Canada Geese came from Mrs. Murray Olyphant September 29, Washington County. There were many reports of Canada Geese during October. Of unusual interest was the report of about 250 White-fronted Geese flying low over Mother Lake, Minneapolis October 12. They were seen by Mrs. E.

W. Joul, Mrs. R. E. Whitesel and others. When they appeared they were coming from the west. Flocks of Blue and Snow Geese were reported the third and fourth weeks in October.

Near St. Paul there was a flock of about 40 Snow Geese October 13 and another flock of Blue and Snow Geese October 20, reported by A. C. Rosenwinkel.

About 75 Snow Geese were observed October 22 by Mrs. Harry Jaunty near Cottonwood, Lyon County.

Several hunters reported large flights of geese.

Dean Honetschlager sent the only report of Tundra Swans. He saw a flock October 9 in Washington County.

Up to November 1, date of this writing, many duck hunters reported poor luck and some felt that the duck population this season was down somewhat. Redheads and Canvasbacks were not on the hunting list this season and some of these species were reportedly mistakenly shot and left where they fell. No large flights of northern ducks were reported so far.

Lesser Scaup and other divers in medium-sized numbers appeared in October. Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, Blue-winged Teal besides American Coots, Common Gallinules, Black Terns and other species of birds nested in the rushes in Grass Lake, a small lake located in a residential district in Minneapolis.

Hawks drifted singly or in small groups, through the Minnesota River valley beginning the first part of September and continuing. Most observations were made in Scott and Washington Counties. Wild Turkey Vultures, Pigeon Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, American Kestrels and Pigeon Hawks were noted. The Duluth Hawk count under the direction of Dr. P. B. Hofslund was begun the second week in September. The following report was received from Dr. Hofslund : "Up to date, October 17 we have seen: Broad-winged Hawk.....6864 Sharp-shinned Hawk....2056 Red-tailed Hawk........ 631 Northern Harrier........... 104 American Kestrel.......... 95 Wild Turkey Vulture........ 92 Osprey................. 37 Cooper's Hawk......... 34 Rough-legged Hawk..... 15 Pigeon Hawk........... 14 Northern Goshawk............... 9 Peregrine Falcon........ 6 Bald Eagle............ 3 Golden Eagle........... 1 Unidentified............ 384 Best day count Sept. 11, 4,898 Best Broad-winged Sept. 11, 4,702 Best Sharp-shinned October 5, 342 in 2% hours Best Red-tailed October 17, 410 in 2% hours" Dr. Hofslund goes on to report: "There was a terrific flight of small birds going on today, October 17, along with the Red-tailed Hawks. We saw flocks that must have numbered in the thousands and included Lapland Longspurs, Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finches, Common Redpolls, Blackbirds, Robins, Pine Siskins, etc.

We saw Common Ravens, Common Crows, Blue Jays and Kinglets in lesser numbers. I shouldn't have mentioned the Robin in the above group as I saw only one flock. In fact the Robins and the Blue Jays have been conspicuous in their absence.

The same is true of the Eastern Bluebirds and there have been no large flocks of migrating Black-capped Chickadees. We counted around 800 Snow and Blue Geese from the hawk lookout October 12." The MOU Field Trip to the Hawk Count was held September 17-18.

There were scattered reports of Bald Eagles from various parts of the state. Robert Widmeier, who was banding hawks on the north shore of Lake Superior, caught one that could not fly although there was no apparent injury to its wings. It leaped along the ground and he was able to capture it. Mr. Widmeier was of the opinion that it had been a captive bird because its tail was frayed and its claws blunt. He brought it to the Museum of Natural History and placed it in the care of Dr. W. J. Breckenridge.

Very few large concentrations of shore birds were reported. Lesser Yellowlegs and small peeps were returning the first week in August.

A few were seen along Whitefish Lake, Crow Wing County, August 3 by A. C. Rosenwinkel. Robert Janssen reported shore birds in Minneapolis including Dowitchers and Stilt Sandpipers.

Brother Theodore saw countless shore birds in Sibley County, September 17. He observed 5 Buffbreasted Sandpipers and a Knot in fall plumage on Minnesota Point, Duluth September 10. On September 12 Carl Johnson banded a Knot on Minnesota Point and sent it to the Museum of Natural History for positive identification. Dr. Breckenridge afterwards released the bird. A small flock of Whimbrels was seen on Park Point by Mrs. E. W. Joul and others September 25. The first positive record of a Western Sandpiper was obtained by Dr. Breckenridge when he collected one September 4 at Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle County.

Many observers saw the mixed flock of American Golden and Black-bellied Plovers that were on Minnesota Point for several weeks during September and October.

About 55 Common Terns, many of them immature, were seen in Ramsey County August 19 by A. C. Rosenwinkel.

He reported 20 Caspian Terns in the same area September 10 with 120 Ring-billed Gulls. About 100 Franklin's Gulls were present in Washington County August 26. By October 4 the number of these gulls had increased to approximately 300 in the Minnesota valley, Scott and Washington Counties. They appeared over the Twin Cities also, hawking insects.

In some cases they were accompanied by a few Bonaparte's Gulls. Brother Theodore reported a Parasitic Jaeger harassing Common Terns September 10 on Minnesota Point, Duluth.

One record of the Snowy Owl was received. Emmett Hermanson saw one perched on a cross beam, oblivious to the confusion, under the roof of the train shed at the Milwaukee Depot, October 19.

At Star of the North, Lake County, Marie Aftreith reported 86 migrating Common Nighthawks August 28 and two days later 50 more. Dr. A. E.

Allin reported a major flight of Common Nighthawks at Duluth. The following is his report: "We watched them until 8 o'clock at which time there was plenty of light in the sky but the migration had obviously stopped.

They spread out over the lake for perhaps less than a hundred yards and inland for perhaps three or four hundred yards. A conservative esti mate would be that 3500 Common Nighthawks passed along the shore.

I could count 30 in the air at one time and they were all passing rapidly to the southwest. Near Blue Earth, Blue Earth County, Howard Cleaves stated that there was a movement of Common Nighthawks from September 15 to 25. He reported Chimney Swifts at Mankato as late as September 19, 4 in number.

The migration of swallows proceeded normally. A flock of thousands of Tree Swallows perched on wires by the roadside, Scott County September 27. A hundred Cliff Swallows lined the wires August 14 in Washington County, reported by Dean Honetschlager.

George Ludeke observed a concentration of Purple Martins in Minneapolis numbering approximately 1500, September 4.

Robins began to flock in early August and roamed about the countryside.

In late October small flocks were still moving through. There was a goodly population of Robins in eastern Minnesota. Eastern Bluebirds also appeared to be normal in numbers in this area also. They were present until November 1. A flock of about 50 adults and immature Eastern Bluebirds bathed in a pool in Scott County August 26. Dean Honetschlager reported that due to increased interest in establishing bluebird houses near Marine on St. Croix, Washington County the Eastern Bluebird population had increased in that area. More houses will be put up next season.

Dr. D. W. Warner reported large numbers of Hermit Thrushes in Kanabec County, October 30.

Cedar Waxwings apparently in migration were present in Hennepin County in late October. About 50 were imitating flycatchers October 27, snatching insects from the air.

As usual flycatchers migrated with the warblers in most instances. Marie Aftreith reported that her first observation of migrating warblers in Lake County was August 9. In eastern Minnesota warblers began drift- ing through August 19 and continued until the last of September. On September 22 there occurred a heavy wave of kinglets, warblers, flycatchers and vireos which was reported by several observers. Brother Theodore stated that last year a Kentucky Warbler appeared near the grounds of Benilde School, Minneapolis. This year he found one in the same area at about the same time, August 29.

Many Red Crossbills were present at Encampment Forest, St. Louis County reported by Joel Bronoel.

Dark-eyed Juncos were very abundant throughout the south half of the state during migration. First report came from Mrs. Florence Patchin, Scott County, August 26. The migration of White-throated, Harris, White-crowned and Fox Sparrows was normal. Dean Honetschlager sent the earliest record of returning Tree Sparrows, October 9, Washington County.

They were present in eastern Minnesota in goodly numbers by October 20.