Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 1938-Summer Season
1 June through 31 July 1938
By A. B. ERICKSON, ROBERT UPSON

THIRTY-TWO members of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union submit­ted nesting data on a total of I 30 species of birds. All in all, 368 separate observa­tions were made. The localities from which nesting data were gathered, 76 in number, are distributed in all parts of the state.

Several of the records are of such im­portance as to require special attention. A colony of American Egrets, for example, found nesting at East Chain Lake near Fairmont, was reported by Dr. G. H. Luedkte. Dr. T. S. Roberts published a brief account of this colony in Bird-Lore for September-October 1938. Four nests of the White Pelican, the first in many years for the Minnesota area, were found by G. A. Swanson on the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods. The Yellow-breasted Chat, long suspected as being a Minne­sota nester, was definitely placed on the list when R. M. Berthel collected a nest with 4 eggs in Houston County. Previous to this year there was only one record of the actual finding of a nest of the Pine Siskin. Richard Voth, Walter Hiebert, and other members of the T. S. Roberts Ornithology Club of St. Cloud increased this number by locating several nest at St. Cloud. Other unusual records of nest­ing pertain to Swainson's Hawk, Piping Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Alder Flycatcher, and the Grasshopper Sparrow.

In each case the species, locality, date, eggs or young, and the observer have been listed.

Key to the Seasonal Report
1.Upper case (LEAST TERN) indicates a Casual or Accidental species in the state.
2.Species are listed in brackets [Whooping Crane] when there is a reasonable doubt as to its origin or wildness.
3.Bracketed text following a species’ name indicates the total number of north and south counties.
4.Dates listed in bold (10/9) indicate an occurrence either earlier, later, or within the three earliest or latest dates on file.
5.Counties listed in bold (Aitkin) indicate an unusual occurrence for that county.
6.Counties listed in bold and with an underline (Becker) indicate a first county record.
7.Counties listed in italics (Crow Wing) indicate a first county breeding record.
8.Totals in bold (150) indicate a total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
9.Totals in bold-italic (55) indicate a CBC total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
10.Dagger “†” preceding observer’s initials denotes written documentation was submitted.
11“ph.” denotes a species documented with a photograph.
12.“v.t.” denotes a species documented by video.
13.“a.t.” denotes a species documented by audio.
14.High counts that are multiples of 100 are assumed or known to be estimates, unless otherwide noted.
The Seasonal Report  is a compilation of seasonal bird sightings from throughout Minnesota. We particularly invite reports from parts of the state that have been neglected or covered lightly in past reports. To become a contributor, contact the Editor of The Loon (editor AT moumn.org).

Species

Information

Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
The first Wood Duck nest was noted by Bob Upson on April 20 at Hastings. It held 6 eggs. The last report comes from Gustav Swanson who saw several broods at Lake Itasca on August 6.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
On his Her­on Lake trip of May 29, G. Swanson found a Teal's nest with 8 eggs. On June 2, Dr. C. E. Mickel, at Blue Earth, chanced upon a nest of I 3 eggs. On June 7 at Lake Traverse Bob Upson found a nest of 5 eggs; ten days later Upson and Owre discovered, in Beltrami County, a nest with II eggs. At Camp Icoghawan near Chisago City, Nathan Mahon, on June 22, found a nest of I2 eggs; 3 days later only 6. eggs remained; subsequently one of these hatched, but the young bird died. Finally, Dr. and Mrs. Mahle, on June 23, saw 4 half-grown young on Pelican Lake; on June 26 in Beltrami County they saw IO downy young.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
The first Mallard nest, one of 9 eggs, was spotted by Bob Upson at Minneapolis on May 24. Five days later at Heron Lake G. Swanson found a nest of 8 eggs. Dr. C. C. Prosser and Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Swedenborg found an 8 egg nest in a tamarack swamp at Lake Vermillion on June 8. On June 15, Oscar Owre and Bob Upson were in Beltrami County where they found a IO egg nest. Mrs. Warnosky, on June I9, found the first young Mallards, 3 of them, 6o miles north of Duluth. Finally, on June 27, Dr. and Mrs. Don Mahle discovered ro downy young at Blackduck.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
The only record for this duck was submitted by Bob Upson who saw a nest of I I eggs at Lake Traverse on June 7· ·
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
Eleven downy young Whistlers were found by Oscar Owre and Bob Upson in Beltrami County on June I?. On June 27 at Black­duck, Don Mahle observed 4 one-third grown young. At Lake of the Woods on July I4, G. Swanson met with a brood of 5 young.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
A fe­male Sawbill and I8 young were studied by G. Swanson at Lake of the Woods on July 9· On August 2, IO, and I4, Dana Struthers saw full grown young with fe­males at Lake Vermillion.
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
Three nests of the Ruddy, each with 7 eggs, were found by W. ]. Breckenridge in Anoka County on June 29.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
The first nest of this species was found by N. L. Huff and A B. Erickson at Lake Itasca on May 28. Although deserted, it contained 8 addled eggs. The first young, 2 tiny chicks, were seen by W. ]. Breckenridge on June 7 at Cedar Creek Bog in Anoka County. On July 26 at Gull Lake, E. D. Swedenborg saw 2 families of small young. Finally, on July 20 in the Northwest Angle at Lake of the Woods G. Swanson observed a brood of 9 small young.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
Six observers reported Pheasant nests or young birds. The first nest was found by R. Voth and W. Hiebert at Maiden Lake, Cottonwood County on May 23. G. Swan­son saw several nests at Windom on May 29; K. Carlander noted 2 covies just off the nest on June 2 at Shakopee; E. D. Swedenborg found one-third grown young at Minneapolis on July 7; and Arnold Erickson saw several broods of lan~e young at Long Meadow (Minneapolis),;n August 7·
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
Ten nest of the Hell Diver were reported. The earliest was found at Frontenac on May 20 by K. Carlander; it contained eggs. Three nests with 4, 5, and 6 eggs each were discover­ed on May 23 by R. Both and W. Hieb­ert at Maiden Lake in Cottonwood Coun­ty. Nests containing eggs were found at Minneapolis on May 21 and 3 r by Bob Upson. Upson and Owre found a nest of 7 eggs on June 17 in Beltrami County. On May 29 a nest of 5 eggs was discov­ered by G. Swanson at Heron Lake. The last nest was found by \Y./. J. Breckenridge on June 29 in Anoka County; it held r r eggs.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
The only record of this Grebe comes from Gustav Swan­ son, who saw adults with young at Thief Lake on July 26.
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
In Beltrami County on June 17, Oscar Owre and Bob Upson found a nest with one egg; ar Lake of the Woods on July 22, Gustav Swanson saw several broods of 5-7 young. The last date for this species, July 27, was submitted by K. Carlander who saw 7 young just out of the nest at Rice Lake in Anoka County.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
Three nests with 4-6 eggs each of this western-ranging Grebe were found at Heron Lake on May 29 by G. Swanson; and between June 6-7, Bob Upson located 3 nests that held 2, 4, and 9 eggs at Lake Traverse.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
Two observers found Swan-necked Grebes at Lake Trav­ erse. Bob Upson noted 2 nests that held 4 and 5 eggs on June 6-7; and R. M. Berthel, on June r6, found 4 pairs that were courting.
Pigeons, Doves
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
The first nest was found by 0. S. Pettingill and G. Rysgaard at Northfield on May I; two young left the nest on that day. Three days later at Stillwater, G. C. Kutz dis­covered 2 nests with 2 young each in water · gutters. Eggs were found in Minneapolis by Struthers (May 14), Swedenborg (June 12), and Swanson (July 29).
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
The only nest reported was found by W. J. Breckenridge IO miles south of Wabasha on June 17. It held several young.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
Near Afton on June 3, Rysgaard, Prosser, and Breckenridge saw adults carrying nesting material. At Gull Lake on June 25, E. D. Swedenborg found a nest of 4 eggs.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
Young Night Hawks, just able to fly, were seen by E. D, Swedenborg at Minneapolis on June 12. At Granite Falls on August 4, W. J. Breckenridge and R. M. Benhel found 2 nests, one with 2 eggs, the other with 2 downy young.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
Two young, still in the nest, were studied by G. Swanson at Itasca Park on July 31.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
Milton Thompson and Bob Upson found 2 nest near Min­neapolis; the first, on May 26, held 2 eggs; the second, on June 30, held 3 eggs.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
On May I3 at Minneapolis, Bob Upson found a nest with 4 eggs; on May 26, also at Minneapolis, he found 6 nests that held from 5-r I eggs each. Dana Struthers saw 3 nests at Minneapolis on June 4; they held 9, 12, and I3 eggs each.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
The first Gallinule nest was located by Gus Swa!l­ son at Heron Lake on May 29; it held 4 eggs. Two days later Bob Upson found 2 nests at Minneapolis; each contained 8 eggs. Two quarter-grown young were seen by Arnold Erickson at Long Meadow on August 7·
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
R. Voth and W. Hiebert found 8 nests at Maiden Lake on May 23. They averaged 6 eggs each. Upson found nests in Minneapolis on May 26 and 3 I; Gustav Swanson saw several nests at Heron Lake on May 29; on Jnue 6-7, Upson found many nests at Lake Trav­erse; the first young were seen by Don Mahle on Lower Red Lake on June 26. Finally, Swedenborg. observed half-grown young at Minneapolis on July IO.
Plovers
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
According to D. Struth­ers the Killdeer has taken to roof nest­ing. On June Io, he found 4 eggs on the roof of Ramsey Jr. High School, Minne­apolis. Newly-hatched young were found by E. D. Swedenborg on May I5 at Min­neapolis. On June 25 at Warren, Don Mahle saw 3 half-grown young. Four eggs were found by B. Upson at Lake Trav­erse on June 6. The last nest, also of 4 eggs, was noted by G. Swanson at Lake of ~he Woods (Pine Island) on July 5·
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
Dr. Olga Lakela, Casimir Hero, and other members uf the Duluth Bird Club made extensive ob­servations on the Piping Plovers of Min­nesota Point, Duluth. Between May I5 and July 23 they followed the history of 6 nests. All of ~hese but one held 4 eggs. In nest number 2 one egg was deposited on May 22, the second on May 23, the third on May 25, and the fourth on May 28. All four eggs hatched on June 23. The last nest at Minnesota Pount was found by C. Hero on Ju:y 23; it held 4 eggs. On July 5 at Lake of the Woods (Pine and Curry Islands) Gustav Swan­son found I5 nests; all held 4 eggs each.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
At Worthington on June I3, R. M. Berthel watched 2 young Plovers that had just hatched.
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
An adult and 3 you~g of this elusive shore bird were seen on May 2I, by Mrs. W. C. Olin and Mrs. W arnosky as the birds crossed a road at Duluth.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
At Lake Vermillion Dr. Prosser and E. D. Swed­enborg found a nest of 4 eggs on June IO.
Gulls, Terns
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
K. Carlander saw Gulls of this species on nests at Her­on Lake on June 3· He was unable to de­termine the contents of the nest.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
Prosser and Swed­enborg saw nests on rocky islands in Lake Vermillion on June 10. At Lake of the Woods (Gull Rock) on June 7, G. Swan­son found many young but only a few nests with eggs. ·
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
Bob Upson found the first nest of this species at Minneapolis on May 26--7 nests I-3 eggs each. On May 3I, same locality, he found a nest built on a floating plank. Struthers found 2 eggs at Minneapolis on June 4; Owre and Up­son discovered many nests in Beltrami County on June 12; vandals had destroy­ed the eggs and young. Several nests were found at Swan Lake in Nicollet County by G. Swanson on June 17. On July 17, Arnold Erickson found one young floating on a piece of wood in Pearl Lake, Stearns County. Adults were feeding the young bird.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Dr. Lakela found Tern nests on Minnzsota Point (Duiuth) on June 9 and June 29. Both nests held 3 eggs each. G. Swanson visited Spirit Island in Mille Lacs on July 2; he found hundreds of nests.
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
G. Swanson found 6 nests in a slough in Cottonwood Coun­ty on May 30.
Loons
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
At Lake Itasca on August r Gustav Swanson saw 2 young of this species.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
The sole record for this species comes from Gustav Swanson who found I I nests with young on American Crow Duck Reef (Lake of the Woods) on July I4­
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
G. Swanson on July q, found 4 nest of r-2 eggs on the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods. This is the first definite nesting record for the species in the Minnesota area since 1904.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Least Bittern
(Botaurus exilis)
Four downy young of this species were found on June 30 at Minneapolis by Milton Thompson and Bob Upson.
Black-crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
At the Lake Owasso heronry, Ram­sey County, Dr. Roberts' Bird Class found nests with eggs and small young on May 23. On July 2, K. Carlander observed at the heronry many nests with eggs or young, and some almost ready to fl.y.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
On May 22 a nest of 4 eggs was found by E. D. Swedenborg at Minneapolis. On June 9 George Rys­gaard found 2 nests at Lake Frances in Isanti County. One held 4 large young; the other, 5 eggs.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
Late in May an acquaintance of Dr. G. H. Luedtke of Fairmont saw about 25 adult Egrets with nests and eggs at East Chain Lake near Fairmont.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
At Lake Vermillion on Au­ gust 2, D. Struthers discovered a nest with 2 young Fish Hawks.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
A two-egg nest of a Northern Harrier was found by D. Struth­ers and Bob Upson on April 25 at Min­neapolis.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
A nest of this bird Hawk was found on May IO at Min­neapolis by Dana Struthers and Ward Zimmerman; on June 7 at Linwood Lake in Anoka Co14nry, W. ]. Breckenridge found another. In each instance the nest held 4 eggs.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
At Lake Itasca on Mav 29, N. L. Huff and Arnold Erickson sa~ a well-feathered young Eagle in its nest in a live white pine. On August I, also a~ Lake Itasca, G. Swanson saw 2 full grown young that could fly. The two ob­ servations were probably made on the same family of Eagles.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
An adult and an immature Swainson's Hawk were encountered by W. ]. Breckenridge and R. M. Berchel in eastern Freeborn Coun­ty on August 2.
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
Struthers and Zimmerman, who specialize in Hawks, found the first Red-tail's nest near Min­neapolis on April I I; it contained 2 eggs. Bob Upson, on April 20, found a nest of 2 eggs at Hastings. On May r at Spring Lake near Hastings, Owre, Mahon, Paul, and Upson saw a nest with one egg.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
K: Carlander and B::>b Upson found the first nest of this little Owl on March 30 at Minneapolis. The eggs were situated in a hollow tree. On April 3, also at Minneapolis, E. D. Swedenborg found a nest with 4 eggs; on May I3 when Upson and Struthers examined this nest, it held 3 eggs and one newly-hatched young. Finally, on June 15 at Plainview, Don Mahle saw 3 half­ grown young in the gray phase.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
The ear­liest nest of this species was found at Minneapolis on Washington's birthday by D. Struthers, B. Upson, and W. Zim­merman; it held one egg. R. Voth found the second nest on February 28 at St. Joseph; it was complete but empty. At Bush Lake, Hennepin County, on March 24, K. Carlander located a nest with eggs. The first young were found by G. C. Kutz at Stillwater on April 3· On April 12 at Upsala, A. B. Madden found a nest with one egg; subsequently it har~.:hed. On April 14 at Minneapolis, Struthers and Upson saw 2 young Great Horned Owls.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
R. M. Berthel found one young Barred Owl in Houston Coun­ty on June r r; it was just able to fly.
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
A. B. Madden of Upsala found, on April 12, a set of 5 eggs in an abandoned Craw's nest. On April 25 the nes~ held 5 young and one egg.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
On June ro at Lake Vermillion, Dr. C. C. Prosser and Mr. and Mrs. Swedenborg saw a kingfisher excavating for a home.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
On July 4 at Minneapolis, E. D. Sweden­borg found a nest with large young; on September 8, also at Minneapolis, he noted large young being fed. At Red Wing on July 10, Arnold Erickson saw one large young out of the nest. ­
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
Five young Sapsuckers were found by D. Struthers at Afton on June 5· Sapsuckers were still nesting on August 10 when G. Swanson found young in a nest at Itasca Park.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
Bob Upson saw adults feeding at Minneapolis on May 10. On May 29, E. D. Swedenborg saw a nest of small young at Minneapolis. Prosser and Swedenborg discovered 2 nests with small young at Lake Vermillion on June 5 and 6.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
E. D. Swedenborg found a nest at Minneapolis on May q; he was not able to determine the contents. On May 15. also at Minneapolis, Bob Upson saw adults feeding young at the nest.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
On June 24 at Minneapolis, D. Struthers saw 2 adult Killy Hawks with 5 male young that could fly. Another family, also awing, was seen by W. J. Breckenridge at Forest Lake on June 28.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
On June 30 at Camp lcoghwan near Chisago City, Nathan Mahon found Crested Flycatch­ ers nesting. He was unable to de~ermine the contents of the nest. At Minneapolis on June 17, E. D. Swedenborg found young out of the nest.
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
On June 6 at Lake Traverse, Bob Upson found a nest with one egg. Ten to twelve empty nests nearby were attended by solicitous adults.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
K. Carlander found Eastern Kingbirds building at Winona on May 20. The other end of the process, full-grown young leaving the nest, was observed by G. Swanson at Itasca Park on August 2.
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
A nest with a large young was found by E. D. Swedenborg at Excelsior on July 3r.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
Milton Thompson found 3 nests of the Alder on June 9 at Walker. The eggs in all 3 nests hatched, and the young left the nests.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
The first nest of this species was observed on June 5 at Lake V ermillion by Prosser and Swedenborg; it held 4 eggs. At Walker on June 9, M. Thompson found 2 nests with eggs; on June 25, also at Walker, he found a nest' with 3 young.
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
Data for this species was submitted by 9 observers. Space will per­ mit the lis~ing of but 2 or 3 of the ob­ servations. R. Voth found a complete but empty nest on April 27 at St. Cloud. At White Bear Lake on May 8, R. M. Berthel found Eastern Phoebes building over his front door; Eastern Phoebes have built there for the past 25 years. The latest record is from G. Swanson who found young just hatched at Itasca Park on August r.
Vireos
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
On June 2o, near Chisago City, Nathan Mahon saw a female cowbird on a Vireo's nest, the contents of which were not ascertained.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
June Io. (Lake Vermillion) N est, 3 eggs and one of cowbird; another uncomple~ed nest. (Dr. Prosser and E. D. Swedenborg).
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
On May 25, at · Lake Minnetonka, the bird class saw a nest but didn't determine its contents. Young awing ~ere seen on July I7 by Swedenborg at Minneapolis.
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
Between June 5 and June IO, Swedenborg and Prosser found nests in various stages of com­pletion near Lake Vermillion. On August 3, Gustav Swanson found a nest and 4 eggs in Itasca Park.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
Dana Struthers found a nest of 4 eggs on May ro. Mr. E. D. Swedenborg found a nes~ of 6 eggs on May I5. Both occurred in Minneapolis.
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
On May 28 Mr. E. D. Swedenborg found a nest of 3 young. Near Afton 3 young about to leave the nest were seen by Rysgaard, Breckenridge, and Dr. Prosser on June 3·
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
M. R. Voth, on April r2, found a completed but empty nest on the Teachers College Islands, St. Cloud. Near Upsala, Minnesota A B. Madd~n saw 5 young ready to fly on May 12. Mr. E. D. Swedenborg saw young out of the nest being fed on June 25 at Gull Lake.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
On May 20, at Minneapolis,. Upson found a nest in a birch stub about 3 feet high; it held 5 small young. The nest entrance DECEMBER, 1938. was in the top of the stub. In Houston County A! Buzicky found a nest that held 7 eggs that was situated in a stump {May 23 ). Near Gull Lake E. D. Swedenborg saw young awing on June 25. On July 5 Rysgaard re-visited a nest to which the chickadees were carrying nesting material on June 5; it held half­grown young (Sturgeon Lake).
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
On April 2, at Lake Traverse, Paul, Rysgaard, Ma­hon, and Erickson found a nest that held small young. Virginia Scott and other members of Dr. Lakela's class found a Lark nest on June 25 at Minnesota Point. At that time it held 5 eggs; and on July 12 there was one bird in the nest. The next day the nest was empty.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
A sand martin colony near Frontenac was examined on May 20 by Kenneth Carh.nd~r; it con­tained many nests of eggs. The nests were badly infested with bird fleas (Siphonap­tera). Bob Upson saw a large colony near Lake Traverse on June 7· In St. Louis County, Dr. Prvsser noted a colony,pn June r r. Mr. E. D. Swedenborg found a nest of young on July 7 at Minneapolis.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
K. Carlander found several nests of eggs near Frontenac on May 20. A pair of rough­ wings, building in a kingfisher's runway near Lake Vermillion on June ro, were observed by Dr. Prosser and Mr. Swed­ enborg.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
On May 5 26 martins began carrying nesting materials to a box provided at White Bear Lake by R. M. Berrhel. On July 2 Gus Swanson saw many nests, one with 5 eggs; the nests were among the rocks of Spirit Island, Mille Lacs. At Lake Vermillion, Prosser and Swedenborg saw martins incubating on June 5; young awing were being fed on July 17.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
A completed but empty nest was found at Warren by Dr. Donald Mahle on June 25. Arnold Erick­ son found a nest of 2 eggs at Rock Creek, Pine County, on June 27. On July 27 Kenneth Carlander examined a nest of young under a bridge near Rice Lake, Anoka County.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Mr. E. D. Swed­ enborg saw 3 nearly completed nests on May 2r. Dr. C. E. Mickel found cliff swallows nesting twenty miles south of Marieqa on June 4· Near Dover, in Olm­ stead County, W. J. Breckenridge and R. M. Berthel found a colony of r 3 nests under a concrete bridge. The 3 nests ex­amined contained 3, 4, and 3 young about 2 days o1d.
Kinglets
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
On June Io, at Lake Vermillion, a nest of 5 young was seen by Dr. Prosser and E. D. Swedenborg.
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
M i l ton Thompson saw 4 birds incubating and one pair building one June 9 near Milaca. Near Brule River, Cook County, Mr. Swedenborg found a nest holding 4 larg~ young on August 15.
Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
On April 17, at Minneapolis, Upson watched two nuthatches carry material to a nest that was already built to the top of the hole; on about May ro they were feeding noisy young. On June ; Breckenridge, Prosser and Rysgaard saw a nuthatch carrying food (Afton).
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
On August I I Breckenridge and Berthel saw 2 adults but no young near Taylor's Falls.
Wrens
Northern House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
R. M. Berrhel re­ports that at White Bear Lake a pair of wrens on May ro, began to carry nesting material into the same box they.used in I937· E. D. Swedenborg found a nest that held 7 large young on July 3 at Shakopee.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
Upson found a nest of 5 eggs on May 24 at Minneapolis.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
On May 20, at Frontenac, Kenneth Carlander found a nest of one egg. On May 28 E.-D. Swedenborg found a completed empty nest; on May 30 he found a nest of one egg. Both found at Minneapolis. In Beltrami Coun­ty, on June r6, 0. Owre and Upson found a nest that held 2 eggs. D r. Mahle found a nest of one egg at Warren on June 25. On July 17. Dr. Mahle found a nest of 3 half-grown young near Plainview.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
On May 14 Upson found a nest of 4 eggs at Minnea­polis. In Houston County, Carlander found a nest of 6 eggs on May 21. Voth and Hiebert found thrashers nesting in Cottonwood County on May 23. On May 27, at St. Paul, Tilford Moore found a nest that held 4 eggs. Near. C!, isago City Nathan Mahon found a gr:JUnd nest that held 4 eggs on June 26. On July 16, at Minneapolis, K. Carlander fo und a nest that contained 5 young.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
Starlings feeding large young were seen on May I5 by Dr. Mahle at Plainview. Near Frontenac, Carlander saw a nest and young of starl­ings in a hole in a telephone pole on May 20.,
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
A nest and 4 eggs were found on May I by Swedenborg, at Minneapolis. From Plainview Dr. Mahle reports a nest of 5 eggs found in that :1rea on May 15. On July 4 E. D. Swedenborg found 3 nests which con­tained 4 small young, 3 large young, and fresh eggs, respectively. All of the nests were found at Minneapolis.
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
Dr. Prosser and Mr. E. D. Swedenborg found a nest of 4 eggs near Lake Vermillion on June 5· In Anoka County W. J. Breckenridge observed young awing on June 28.
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
Two Swainson's thrushes' nests, contammg one egg and 3 eggs respectively, were examined on June 10, near Lake Ver­million, by Prosser and Swedenborg.
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
Dr. Prosser and Mr. Swedenborg found a nest that contained one egg at Lake Vermillion on June 6. Dana Struthers, also at Lake Vermillion, found a nes~ situated in the middle of a sand bank, on August 3·
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
On June 5 D. Struthers found a nest near Afton that held 2 eggs and 2 young. On August r 3, at Minneapolis, Mr. Swedenborg saw a Wood Thrush feeding a cowbird.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
· Dr. Donald Mahle located 9 a nest with 3 eggs at Plainview April 14; the nest was in the eaves of a house. Rain drowned the bird out on April 27. On April 30 T. Moore found a nest that held small young (St. Paul). N ear Lake Vermillion, June 6, Dr. Prosser and Mr. Swedenborg located 3 nests that held 4 newly hatched young, 4 large young, and 4 eggs, respectively.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
Young just able to fly were seen on May I 5 by Carlander at Minneapolis. In a house pro· vided for Martins a pair of House Sparrows nested; a pair of Grackles and a pair of House Wrens shared the house with them. The house and occupants were noted near Lake Vermillion on June 8 by Swedenborg and Prosser.
Finches
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
Voth and Hiebert discovered a nearly finished nest near the Veterans Hospital, St. Cloud on Apdl I2. A Pine Linnet's nest, that held 2 fresh eggs, was found on the Tea~hers College Campus, St. Cloud, on Apnl 25 by the T. S. Roberts Ornithology Club; Voth found that the eggs were gonl! from this nest on April 27.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
Three young thistle birds in their nest were seen by Sweden­borg on July 3I near Minneapolis.
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
Breck­enridge saw Yellow-winged Sparrows building on June 17 near Wabasha.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
On June 3 Rys­gaard, Breckenridge, and Berthel found a nearly completed nest near Afton.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
G. C. Kutz found a nest that held one broken egg on May 20 near Stillwater. On June 7 Kucz found a nest of one egg and 2 Cow-. bird eggs near Stillwater. At Lake Ver million Prosser and Swedenhorg found a nest of 4 eggs on June 7· Milton D. Thompson saw Chippies building near Walker on July r6; 4 eggs were laid in this nesr. Three eggs hatched and the young left; one egg did not hatch.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
On May 30 Swedenborg found a nest of one egg ar Minneapolis.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
Near Hastings, Breckenridge and Upson found a nest of one egg and 2 Brown-headed Cowbird eggs on May r2; broken Field Sparrow's eggs lay nearby. On May 24 Upson found a nest and 4 eggs at Minneapolis. Rysgaard saw adults carrying food on June r r in Anoka County.
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
A nest, sunk in the moss in a tamarack swamp, was found at Lake Vermillion on June 7 by Swedenborg and Prosser; it held~ one small young. On August ro Swanson saw juvenals being fed in Itasca Park.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
A Bay-winged Bunting's nest that held 4 eggs w,as found near Stillwater on May 7 by Kenneth Carlander. Arnold B. Erickson found a nest in Anoka County on May IO chat contained 3 eggs. On May 30, at Minneapolis, Swedenborg located a nest of 2 eggs and 2 young. Berthel and Breckenridge found a nest near Granite Falls that held 4 young about 2 days old, on August 4·
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
Adults, carrying food to 3 small young in the nest, w-;;re noted on June I I in Anoka County by G. N. Rysgaard. Near Warren a nest of 6 eggs was found by Dr. Donald Mahle on June 25.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Mr. E. D. Swedenborg found a nest that held 3 young and one egg on June 26 at Gull Lake.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens)
A nest of 4 eggs was located on June I3 bv ·Russel M. Berthel in Houston County. T he nest, about twice as large. as a Yellow Warbler's, was built about three and a half feet up m a box elder tree. Mr. Kilgore found large embryos in the eggs.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
Twelve saffron-headed maize birds' nests were found in Maiden Lake, Cottonwood County, on May 23 by Voth and Hiebert; they held from I to 5 eggs. On May 30, at Heron Lake, G. Swanson found manv nests that held I to 5 eggs; small young were in some nests. On June I2 0. Owre and Upson saw several adult Yellowheads and found 2 or 3 empty nests, which evidently had been robbed. Someone had been killing birds and destroying nests in this slough near Lake Andrusia, Bel­trami County.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
On May 24, at Minnea­polis, Upson found a Bobolink's nest that held 2 Bobolink's eggs and 3 meadowlark's eggs. At Warren on June 25 Dr. Mahle found a nest and one egg.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
On May I5, near Plainview, Dr. Mahle found a nest and 6 eggs; one egg proved later to be infertile. In Houston County on May 2 I Kenrieth Carlander found a nest of 4 young; several large blue racers were near the nest. On June 24 D. Struthers. found a nest of 4 eggs at Minneapolis.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
Voth and Hiebert found a nest of 5 eggs and 2 cowbird eggs near Maiden Lake, Cot­tonwood County on May 23. On June 24. Dr. Mahle found a nest of 6 eggs near Warren.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
E. D. Swedenborg saw young awing on July 9· On Julyi2 Upson saw adults feeding large young in a nest. Both observations were made at Minneapolis.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
On May IO Upson found a nest and 2 eggs. On May 26 Upson saw a Redwing's nest that was built about 4 feet up in a thorny bush about thirty yards from a small slough; there were 5 cowbird e_ggs and one Redwing's egg in the nest. Two other Redwings had built their grass nests in similar locations near this slough; one nest was empty, the other inaccessible. Upson saw all of the above nests near Minneapolis. On May 23, in Cottonwood County, Voth and Hiebert found I4 nests; they held one to 4 eggs; one contained a cowbird egg and 4 Red­wing's eggs. On May 30 G. Swanson found many nests containing both eggs and >·oung at Heron Lake. Near Rock Creek, Pine County, A. Erickson found a nest of 4 eggs on June 27.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
May I2. (Hastings) 2 eggs in Field Sparrow's nest. (Upson and Breckenridge). May 20, 2 eggs in Rose-breasted Grosbeak's nest and 2 eggs in Field Sparrow's nest (Upson). May 26, 5 eggs in Red-winged Blackbird's nest (Upson). May 28, egg m Song Sparrow's nest (Swedenborg). May 3 I, 3 eggs in Swamp Sparrow's nest (Up­son). June 5-Io, (Lake Vermillion) eggs in Yellow Warbler's, Magnolia Warbler's and Blue-headed Vireo's nests (Dr. Prosser and E. D. Swedenborg). August 6, young being fed by Wood Thrush (Swedenborg) at Minneapolis. · ;
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
A Blue­haded Grackle's nest that held 5 eggs and 2 of the Brown-headed Cowbird was found near Stillwater on May 6 by George C. Kutz. On June 25 Dr. Mahle found many young awing near Warren. On June 26 Mr. Breckenridge found a nest in Anoka County that held 3 eggs and one of the Brown-headed Cowbird. D. Struthers saw young awing on July 25 near Minneapolis.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
A nest or large young was seen near Lake V::r­million on June 7 by Swedenborg and Prosser.
Warblers
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
Mr. E. D. Swedenborg saw young fed awing near Brule River, Cook County, on August I5.
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
Young being fed awing were observed on August I) at Brule River by E. D. Swedenborg.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
E. D. Swedenborg and Dr. Prosser discovered a fin"ished but empty nest near Lake Vermillion on June 7·
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
At Lake Vermillion two nests, each with 3 eggs and 2 cowbird eggs, were observed by Prosser and Swedenborg on June IO.
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
On August I8 E. D. Swedenborg saw young awing at Common Loon Lake, Cook County.
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
On May 28 E. D. Swedenborg found a completed but empty nest at Minneapolis. M. D. Thompson found, near Walker, a nest which the young left on June I8. On July 2o, in the North-west Angle, Lake of the Woods, Gus Swanson found a nest and 4 young just hatched.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
On June 5, a nest and 4 eggs, and on June Io, a nest of young yellow rumped warblers were located near Lake Vermillion by Prosser and Swedenborg.
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
A nest con­taining 2 eggs and one Brown-headed Cowbird's egg was seen on June 3 near Afron by Prosser, Rysgaard, and Breckenridge. On June ~4 Breckenridge found 2 nests at Nine Mile Creek, Minneapolis; one held one Tanager's egg and 3 Brown-headed Cowbird's eggs; the other held 3 Tanager's eggs and 2 Brown-headed Cowbird's eggs. ;
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
On May 21 George C. Kucz saw a female incubating; her nest was in a woodbine. On May 30 Kutz located~ another nest built in a honey­suckle; 5 eggs were in the nest. The nest was deserted on June 7; none of the eggs hatched. Both nests were found near Stillwater. ;
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
On May 20, at Minneapolis, Upson found a nest that held I Grosbeak's egg ·and 2 Brown-headed Cowbird's eggs; the male was incubating. On May 30, near Plainview, Dr. Mahle found a nest and 3 eggs; the male was incubating. At Lake Vermillion, on June ro, Swedenborg and Prosser found 2 nests that held 2 and 3 eggs. Brecken­ridge saw Rosebreasts building on June 23 at Nine Mile Creek, Minneapolis. ;
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
On June I7 Mr. W. J. Breckenridge found a nest that held one Bunting's egg and 3 Cow­bird eggs at Cummingsville, Olmstead County.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
Between' Worthington and the Dakota line Mr. Berthel saw 30 Black-Throated Buntings on June 15; they were seen less frequently as he traveled northward. They were probably nesting in the region.