a wintering population of 23,400 birds (Goldsberry et al. 1980). 



South Carolina Sprunt and Chamberlain (1949) considered the Black Duck a 

 common winter resident along the coast from 31 August through 1 May, and a much 

 less common visitor inland. Peak numbers are reached in coastal areas during 

 the winter (Map 13). 



Winter surveys taken in the 1950 's indicated that an average of 15,700 

 birds wintered along the South Carolina coast. The South and North Carolina 

 coasts are the only major concentration of wintering Black Ducks in the south- 

 east (Geis et al. 1971). The most recent count (winter 1975) reported 9,700 

 birds on the South Carolina coast (Goldsberry et al. 1980), a considerable de- 

 crease from earlier figures. 



In a very few instances this duck has been found breeding along the south- 

 eastern coast (Palmer 1976a); one of these breeding localities was near McClel- 

 lanville (Sprunt and Chamberlain 1949). 



Georgia Denton et al. (1977) considered this species uncommon, a transient 

 and winter visitor throughout the state, and suggested that it may rarely breed 

 in the Piedmont. We have found no certain indication of breeding, but a map in 

 Palmer (1976a) clearly indicates that there are one or more extralimital breed- 

 ing records from the northeastern coast. 



During the 1950 's, winter counts averaged 2,800 birds (Geis et al. 1971); 

 only 400 were reported during the winter of 1975 (Goldsberry et al. 1980). 



Florida Sprunt (1954) regarded the Black Duck as an abundant winter resi- 

 dent in the northern portion of Florida but as uncommon in central and southern 

 areas of the state; he noted that any occurrence south of Lake Okeechobee was 

 unusual. Most Black Ducks are seen in the state from early October to early 

 April, although a few sometimes remain until late spring. Howell (1932) indi- 

 cated that the duck occurs most commonly in coastal marshes and tidal creeks 

 but is also on interior freshwater marshes. Kale (1979 ms a) considered the 

 Black Duck uncommon on the Atlantic coast, where winter surveys in the 1950 's 

 revealed an average of 2,900 birds (Geis et al. 1971). Recent figures for birds 

 wintering at Merritt Island NWR range from 10 to 150 birds (Kale 1979 ms a). 

 This duck is considered common in winter on the upper Gulf coast south to Chas-, 

 sahowitzka NWR (Kale 1979 ms b, Map 13). Winter counts during the 1950 's aver- 

 aged 9,200 birds (Geis et al. 1971), but the actual number present in this area 

 was probably somewhat greater. The average number present in two winters (1975- 

 76 and 1976-77) at two important wintering areas (St. Marks NWR and Chassahow- 

 itzka NWR) on this coast was about 20,000 birds (Kale 1979 ms b) . In contrast, 

 only 600 were reported on the 1975 winter waterfowl survey (Goldsberry et al. 

 1980). 



Mississippi The Black Duck is an uncommon to common winter resident in 

 Mississippi; it is most common in the western part of the state (Geis et al. 

 1971). Recent peak concentrations in winter have been of about 50-65 birds 

 (Jackson and Weber 1977, Jackson and Cooley 1978a). Surveys of coastal areas 

 from 1950-60 indicated average winter populations of about 5,000 birds (Geis et 

 al . 1971); the most recent survey (January 1975) reported 400 (Goldsberry et al. 

 1980). 



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