Winter set in early. The first snow storm occurred November 5 which dropped only 4.2 in. in the Twin Cities but was heavy in other parts of the state especially in the north and west. The temperature moderated about the middle of December and remained so through most of the month. A record breaking high of 46 above was reported December 27. The first part of January was severely cold and at this time snow covered the state. A damaging storm occurred along the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth, St. Louis County, to Grand Marais, Cook county. In most parts of the state there was a paucity of birds and they were difficult to find, especially in January. Margaret Lachore sent a newspaper clipping which stated that there were practically no birds in the Wadena County area. Some Christmas Counts were not taken, due to heavy snow. All season most birds were found around feeders although many reports came in stating that large flocks of Common Redpolls roamed about the state.

Flocks of American Goldfinches were observed also.

Several hundred ducks, mostly Mallards occupied small areas of open water on Lakes Calhoun and Harriet in Minneapolis, Hennepin County until the severe weather in January.

Kathryn Greyson and Gladys Point checked on this flock with a scope November 22 and saw Hooded and Common Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, Buffleheads, American Wigeon and American Black Ducks besides the Mallards.

Walter Jiracek reported hundreds of ducks in Lake Pepin, December 2.

There were about 400 Common Mergansers along the Mississippi River from Winona, Winona County to Hastings, Dakota County, December 24.

Robert Janssen reported two Greater Scaup in a flock of Lesser Scaup on Lake Vadnais, Ramsey County, November 8. He observed Long-tailed Ducks on Lake Superior near the outlets of French and Knife Rivers, Lake County, January 23. Dr. W. J. Breckenridge reported that Common Goldeneyes were wintering on the Mississipi River north of Minneapolis again this year. Hunters brought two Common Eiders that had been shot on Lake of the Woods to the Museum of Natural History.

Canada Geese were still migrating during the first half of November but the migration was about over by the end of the month. Rev. Forest Strnad reported 2100 on Silver Lake, Rochester, Olmsted County, at Christmas time. Mrs. R. E. Whitesel, Minneapolis, reported three flocks of Canada Geese flying south over the city January 6.

Ten Mourning Doves spent the winter in Washington County reported by Dean Honetschlager. January 20 there were 13 and January 26 there were 8 at a feeder in South Minneapolis reported by Mrs. C. E. Sandvig.

Flocks of Ring-billed Gulls were still present on the Minnesota River south of Minneapolis, November 18.

Robert Janssen reported 11 Glaucous Gulls near Duluth, January 23.

A few Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks were reported along the Minnesota River through most of the season.

Mrs. W. C. Olin saw two Redshouldered Hawks near Shakopee, Scott County, January 2. Dean Bonetschlager reported an immature Redshouldered Hawk in Washington County, November 19. Robert Janssen also reported Red-shouldered Hawks near Hastings, Dakota County.

There were several reports of Bald Eagles. Dr. W. J. Breckenridge saw one near his home north of Minneapolis Christmas week. Walter Jiracek saw nine near Lake Pepin, Goodhue County December 2. The following interesting report was received from Colleen Nelson: six Bald Eagles fishing, perching and flying near Newport, Dakota County; three at Hastings and one flying north of Winona, December 6. On December 24 there were four adults singly at points along the Mississippi River from Winona to Hastings.

There were only a few Snowy Owl reports as follows: one by W. R.

Luwe near Mapleton, Blue Earth County, December 5; one by Mrs.

John Feehan south of Plainview, Wabasha County, November 29; one by Rev. Forest Strnad near Kasson, Dodge County, November 28; two by Robert Janssen at Grand Marais, November 28, one west of Duluth, January 23, one Dr. W. J. Breckenridge, Northern Pump Plant, Anoka County, February 3, 1960.

A few Red-headed Woodpeckers wintered in the state, notably one at Glenwood, Pope County reported by Mrs. E. R. Seines. Mrs. Lee Payne, Willmar, Kandiyohi County had one at her feeder December 8, also a Redbellied Woodpecker December 10 and a Northern Cardinal December 19. These species are only occasionally found in the western part of the state in winter.

Very few Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported. Mrs. Ray Fuller, Hopkins, Hennepin County, said one that came to her feeder was so tame that it fed from her hand.

There were a few Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets observed in the south half of the state.

Large flocks of Rusty and Redwinged Blackbirds roamed the cornfields along the Minnesota River in Scott County during the fall. However, Delmar Holdgrafer wrote that large flocks of these birds normally present were absent in Stevens County this fall probably due to the drought there and to the west during the past summer. There were two Rusty Blackbirds at Mrs. Harlow Hanson's feeder in Bloomington, Hennepin County during January. Wintering Brown-Headed Cowbirds were observed in January near Etter, Dakota County by Robert Janssen.

Apparently there was a fair abundance of Northern Cardinals. They were reported in numbers from several areas in the state, even in northerly sections.

Mrs. P. A. Becker, Walker, Cass County, wrote that Northern Cardinals appeared there in goodly numbers. As many as seven fed for a month at the Earl Thomas home, and other residents in the above vicinity reported from two to three Northern Cardinals. Mrs. Becker reported also that Pine Grosbeaks were much more abundant this season and that Evening Grosbeaks were as numerous as ever. Both Pine and Evening Grosbeaks were apparently scarce in the Twin Cities and adjacent areas. However Robert Janssen stated that Pine Grosbeaks were abundant around Duluth. He also saw a flock of Evening Grosbeaks at Jacobson, Aitkin County, on January 23. Dean Honetschlager reported a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks in Washington County in early January.

Three hardy Robins appeared at Florence Messer's feeder in Minneapolis January 7 when the temperature was 18 below zero. Mrs. Donald Barr, Minneapolis had a Robin at her feeder January 22.

At the Minnesota Ornithologist's Union meeting in December it was reported that there was a flock of Chukars at Ely, St. Louis County.

Northern Bobwhite were seen by Robert Janssen in the Fisher Lake area, Scott County, on January 1.

During the season the following interesting records were received: six Common Ravens south of Carlos Avery Game Refuge, Anoka County, during October by members of the State Conservation Dept.; a Gryfalcon flew through a net being used in October by Ross Olson on the north shore of Lake Superior; in Bloomington a Boreal Chickadee frequented the Fred Harms feeder for several weeks during the season; the Avifauna! Club checked a Gray Catbird, Whitethroated Sparrow and Red Crossbills during their Christmas Count in Hennepin County; Red Crossbills in Minneapolis, November 1, were reported by Brother Theodore, on October 31 he observed a Smith's Longspur in the company of a flock of Lapland Longspurs; Robert Janssen saw about 1500 Snow Buntings at various points on highways 65 and 210 from Minneapolis to Duluth, one flock was perched in a tree; a Northern Mockingbird in Hennepin County near the Minnesota River was reported by Kathryn Robertson and Gladys Point; in Minneapolis a Winter Wren was reported by Fred Kedney November 7 and a Carolina Wren was seen in Hopkins, January 9 by Ray Glassel. A White-throated Sparrow at her feeder in Glenwood was reported in December by Mrs. E. R. Selnes.