The beautiful Indian Summer we enjoyed in the early autumn lingered on until November 18 when a severe wind storm swept in bringing snow to the whole state and blizzard conditions to the Red River Valley and some northern sections. At this time the worst storm in 50 years struck the north shore of Lake Superior and was especially severe around Grand Marais, Cook County. A 75 mph wind blew down scores of cabins and wrecked boats. Power lines were down and for a time the town was isolated.

Strong winds and very cold weather dominated the whole season except for two weeks of mild weather during the Christmas holidays. In the Twin City area only a trace of snow fell up to the time of this writing February 4. However, there was some snowfall in northern and western sections and a few blizzards occurred in these areas. A few times Bemidji was listed as the cold spot in the nation having a low temperature of 40• below zero.

Cold and windy weather didn't discourage hundreds of Mallards and some American Black Ducks that lived in the warm waters of the Black Dog plant just south of Minneapolis. They flew to the neighboring cornfields to feed. In an open spring area near St. Paul John Hall saw more than 300 Mallards in December. In Minneapolis in open water of the Mississippi between five and six hundred Golden-eyes formed a raft every evening at twilight. Robert Janssen reported Old Squaw's in fair numbers off the North Shore, January 24. A few American Mergansers and about 125 Hooded Mergansers on Lake Vadnais, St. Paul, November 23, were reported by R. E. Cole.

A Ross's Goose was received November 5, 1958 by the Museum of Natural History from the Sand Lake Refuge in South Dakota. It had been collected because of an injury. Mrs. Don Petty who lives near Medicine Lake. Hennepin County ha A flock of about 78 Tundra Swans which flew very high over Lake Vadnais, November 15, was reported by A. C. Rosenwinkel. On the same date he saw another flock of 38 fly over Pleasant Lake, Ramsey County. This was the only r.eport of Tundra Swans for this season.

For the past few winters hawks were reported less commonly than in previous years but this year several were seen in the south half of the state, especially in the river valleys. Red-tailed, Roughlegged, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, Redshouldered, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Goshawk and American Kestrel were the species reported.

A Bald Eagle was seen by A. C. Rosenwinkel near St. Paul November 11.

A Golden Eagle was found shot in Rice Lake National Refuge near McGregor, Aitkin County. It was received by the Museum of Natural History December 27, 1958.

March, 1959 '1 No Snowy Owls were reported this season. A Great Grey Owl appeared on the Christmas Count at Walker, Cass County, positively identified by H. R.

Hanson. Several Great Horned Owls were listed in the Christmas Counts for the Twin City area. Two Long-eared Owls spent several weeks on the James Wilkie property near Bloomington, Hennepin County. A Short-eared Owl was found at the Isaac Walton Bass Ponds, Hennepin County, January 1 by Ray Glassel. He reported finding four Hawk Owls in Beltrami County in January.

There were no reports received on the numbers of Grouse and Ring-necked Pheasants this season. An occasional Bob-white Quail was seen. On November 9 Amy Chambers reported that nine of them were feeding on a gravel highway near Henderson, Sibley County, and that others were feeding on an adjacent hillside.

Three Wilson's Snipe were recorded by Florence and Lee Jaques for their Christmas Count in the vicinity of White Bear Lake, Ramsey County.

During the winter season of 1957-1958 there was an influx everywhere in the state of White-winged Crossbills and Red-breasted Nuthatches. This season no Crossbills have been reported and only an occasional Red-breasted Nuthatch.

However, Bohemian Waxwings appeared in various sized flocks in all sections. From Milbank, South Dakota came a report from Lowry Elliott that there was an invasirm of these birds there.

Golden-crowned Kinglets were unusually abundant this winter, especially in and around the Twin Cities. Mrs.

John Darley, Minneapolis, stated that several of them spent the winter in her yard. There were other reports of from one to three that spent the winter around residences.

Several interesting reports of Tufted Titmice were received indicating that these birds are extending their range.

Harold R. Hanson, Walker, wrote that one came regularly to a feeder at Leech Lake, Cass County, and that about ten used a feeder five miles east of Walker.

Of interest also was a report by R. D. Sanders, Brainerd, Crow Wing County, which follows: "On Sunday, November 30, 1958, I saw one Tufted Titmouse feeding on the ground under white pines and as high as 50 feet in the same trees. There were several Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches in the vicinity of a bird feeding station some 50 feet away but the Titmouse showed no interest in them. The Titmouse has not been seen since and that one bird is the only one I have ever seen in the Brainerd area. This observation was made at noon on the west side of Gull Lake, L5, S32, T135N: R29W; Cass County." There were reports of single individuals in the Twin Cities.

Six fed regularly at the James W. Wilkie feeder near Bloomington and three at the C. L. Patchin feeder also near Bloomington. Rev. Strnad had two at his feeder at Kasson, Dodge County and stated that there were at least six on a forty acre tract in that area.

Mourning Doves wintered in areas south of the Twin Cities. The largest flock reported, 30 individuals, was observed near Grass Lake, Hennepin County, on February 7 by Robert Janssen.

Two Northern Flicker were reported, one at the Philip D. Tyron feeder at Excelsior, Hennepin County, and one at the Cecilia Weaver feeder at LeSueur, LeSueur County.

Dr. and Mrs. D. G. Mahle, Plainview, Wabasha County, recorded six Bluebirds and 60 Northern Cardinals in their Christmas Count. Forty of the Northern Cardinals in one flock fed in a cornfield near Whitewater State Park. There were 66 Northern Cardinals in the Excelsior Christmas Count.

The acorn crop was very poor and the Bluejays must have migrated in search of food for they were greatly reduced in numbers. One could drive many miles without seeing a single individual.

Great flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds wintered in the river valleys especially along the Minnesota River near Shakopee where Robert Janssen saw from three to five thousand rise to feed in adjacent cornfields January 18. Brother ·Pius observed more than 300 near St.

Paul December 27. Common Grackles were seen by Mary Aftreith who lives n~ar Schroeder, Lake Cou•1ty, on the north shore of Lake Superior. A small flock of Common Grackles and a flock of Rusty Blackbirds lived all winter in the Minnesota Valley south of Minneapolis.

Purple Finches frequented feeders in normal numbers and Goldfinches in the company of Tree Sparrows roamed the countryside in large mixed flocks. Rev. Strnad reported one Snow Bunting and a flock of over 100 Lapland Longspurs near Kasson December 12. There were three more flocks of Longspurs in Dodge County, February 4 where he saw 25 of the first Horned Larks.

For the most part Pine Grosbeaks did not come down from the north and very few Evening Grosbeaks were sighted, possibly due to the shortness of boxelder and green ash seeds. Dr. W. J. Breckenridge, Minneapolis had a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks at his feeder during the middle of December. Sally Wangensteen reported four Evening Grosbeaks in Minneapolis in January and A. C. Rosenwinkel sa1•. about 20 north of St. Paul December 27. Dean Honetschlager, Stillwater, Washington County, saw 25 in January. H. R. Hanson said the count on Grosbeaks was low at Walker.

Robert Janssen and Robert Dickerman went on a field trip to Two Harbors, Ely and up the Gunflint Trail the week end of January 18. They found that Pine Grosbeaks were common between Little Marais, Lake County and Grand Marais. There were several Browncapped Chickadees near Ely, St. Louis County. Gray Jays were fairly common and Ravens were common. There were a few Common Redpolls. Herring Gulls were fairly scarce along the north shore of Lake Superior. There was a Common Grackle near Grand Marais.

The following unusual records for the season were received: Virginia Rail, Swamp Sparrows at Isaac Walton Bass Ponds January 25, Ray Glassel; three Killdeer, St. Croix Valley near Stillwater, Christmas Count, Mrs. W. C.

Olin; one Magpie, 12 miles east of Onamia, Mille Lacs County, November 3, M. Ivanovs; small flock of Magpies at Walker, Harold R. Hanson; one Harris' Sparrow, Whitney Eastman feeder, Minneapolis, November 7-18; Red-eyed Towhee, Upgren feeder, North Oaks, Ramsey County, third week of December; Winter Wren near Plainview, Dr. D. G. Mahle, Christmas Count; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, feeding on suet at a feeder iu Marine, Washington County, December, Dean Honetschlager.