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At International Falls 2.2 inches of snow fell on March 19. The snowfall was 
heavier in the southern part of the State and 4.2 inches was recorded at Fairmont. 
Observations indicate that most of the waterfowl which entered the 
State during the period March 8 - 14 stayed on through the following cold spell. 
On March 26 and 27 biologists Nelson and Lee examined the Walnut Lake area. 
Approximately the same number of mallards was seen as had been recorded by 
Mr. Nelson on the aerial count of March 18. Most of the area was frozen up and 
most of the mallards were seen resting on the ice. Tufts of breast feathers were 
common in the ice indicating that at some time during the freeze up mallards and 
other ducks had become frozen in the ice and slush and had to break away pulling 
out feathers. About thirty dead waterfowl of several species including coots were 
picked up and brought to Dr. Dwain W. Warner at the University of Minnesota. 
Dr. Warner found that most of these birds contained lead shot in their gizzards. 
Mild weather again occurred during the period March 29, 30, and 3l, 
and continued generally until after the middle of May. The months of April and 
May were generally warm, dry, and windy. In areas K and XI the ice had gone 
out of the larger lakes by April 8. 
During the period April 5 - 9 area game biologist Vernon E. Gunvalson 
observed paired mallards and blue-winged teal on wooded ponds, potholes and 
field wet spots in Clearwater, eastern Polk, Itasca and Aitkin Counties. 
Biologist Magnus reported below freezing temperatures from 30° F, 
on May 7 to 22° F. on May 8 accompanied by a trace of snow at Roseau. Biologist 
Gunvalson reported slight snow and sleet and 40 MPH. winds in the Bemidji 
vicinity on May 7. Most of the biologists estimated that the phenological develop- 
ment of the season was at least 10 days ahead of previous springs. 
Breeding Population Trends 
This year the breeding pair survey consisted of the usual auto transect 
routes, but in addition the aerial transects which were established in 1951 were 
flown again. 
The aerial sampling was begun on May 10, commencing along the lowa 
border with transect number 32 and finishing on May 15 near the Canadian border 
with transect number 1. The Bureau of Game Cessna 170 was used with Forrest 
Lee and John Tester observing. Waterfowl data were recorded by Lee, and Tester 
recorded the water data. Waterfow] data were recorded in 12-mile units of the 
quarter-mile wide sample strips. The quarter-mile strips, extending in an | 
east-west direction, include approximately two (plus) percent of the area being 
sampled, Transect lines totaled 3,108 miles, or 777.3 square miles of sample. 
This sample represents 37,296 square miles sampled. 
A total of 1,834 ducks was recorded this year compared with 2, 841 
in 1952 and 2,875 in 1951. In other words, a density of 2.36 ducks per square 
