a coastal species in the winter in North Carolina (Map 18). Formerly, the spe- 

 cies was abundant and was a prized game duck. In the 1930 's, populations were 

 seriously depleted by overshooting, loss of breeding habitat, and botulism 

 (Pearson et al. 1942, Geis 1974). As a result of hunting closures and various 

 other measures, Canvasback numbers have increased, but not to the former abun- 

 dance. The primary wintering area in North Carolina is in Currituck Sound 

 (Bellrose 1976). 



The 1975 winter waterfowl survey found 19,800 Canvasbacks in North Caro- 

 lina (Goldsberry et al. 1980), making this state second only to Maryland in im- 

 portance as a wintering ground along the Atlantic Coast and second only to Texas 

 in the southeast. Recent concentrations at Pea Island NWR have numbered as many 

 as 7,000 in late November 1975 (Teulings 1976a) and 3,475 in early December 1976 

 (LeGrand 1977a). 



South Carolina Sprunt and Chamberlain (1949) regarded the Canvasback as 

 a common winter resident in the state from late November to raid-April. These 

 ducks occur in both salt and freshwater habitats; they usually feed in fresh 

 water and move to the sea at night. At the turn of the century, these ducks 

 were considered rare in the state. Sprunt and Chamberlain (1949), however, 

 noted that Canvasbacks have long been regular winter visitors. Bellrose (1976) 

 indicated a wintering population of about 3,600 birds, but only 700 were count- 

 ed on the 1975 winter survey (Goldsberry et al. 1980). 



Georgia Burleigh (1958) listed the Canvasback as a fairly common winter 

 resident along the coast but uncommon and irregular in the interior of the 

 state. Denton et al. (1977) listed dates of occurrence from November to May. 

 Bellrose (1976) indicated that about 1,000 winter in Georgia; the January 1975 

 survey (Goldsberry et al. 1980) found 800 wintering there. 



Florida Howell (1932) noted that these ducks are uncommon local visitors 

 in Florida. They have been recorded from all regions, but are apparently most 

 numerous in the northern and central portions of the state. Generally present 

 from late October or early November, they remain until late March. Sprunt 

 (1954) found Canvasbacks to be more common in the south-central portions of the 

 state since Howell's time. Kale (1979 ms a, 1979 ms b) considered the Canvas- 

 back uncommon throughout the state, but he noted that large populations winter 

 at Merritt Island and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuges. 



Bellrose (1976) remarked that most Canvasbacks winter inland in Florida 

 and indicated a population of about 7,500. The 1975 winter survey found only 

 300 (Goldsberry et al. 1980). Another estimate for the Florida population that 

 year indicated that 3,000 were present (Gasaway et al. 1979). Two years later, 

 9,500 Canvasbacks were recorded (Gasaway et al. 1979). 



Alabama Imhof (1976b) regarded the Canvasback to be common in winter and 

 on migration in Alabama, particularly along the coast. Preferred habitats in 

 Alabama include the wide expanses of shallow waters in the Tennessee River and 

 Mobile Bay, but Canvasbacks are also found on small ponds and lakes. They usu- 

 ally occur in small flocks. Along the Gulf coast they have been recorded at 

 Cochrane Causeway from 4 October to 21 April, and a maximum of 7,600 was re- 

 corded on 7 January 1955. Imhof (1976b) noted that Canvasback numbers have 



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