A major project of the Maine Unit is the distribution and breeding ecology of the ring-necked duck. Xestlng-cover 

 studies showed that ringnecks in Maine used a variety of waterside cover like -that shown above. The ducklings 

 are about 1 day old. (Photos by Howard L. Mendall) 



Requirements of waterfowl food and cover 

 plants. — More than 100 kinds of waterfowl food 

 and cover plants adapted to low-grade sites are 

 being studied in propagation tests at the Patuxent 



Center. These trials include slow-growing peren- 

 nials such as twig-rush, blunt mamiagrass, and 

 tuber-bearing umbrella sedge {Fuirena squarrosa) 

 for use in acid bogs: and rapidly developing 



The quality of wildlife habitat is of profound importJincp to wildlife productivity, and hence to management. Here. 

 Bureau biologists are (left) measuring the water level of a pond on the Yellowknife area. Northwest Territories, 

 with which wat«?rfowl production is correlat«»d annually and (right) studying a stage of aquatic plant growth and 

 marsh development at Patuxent Center. (Photos by H. W. Munly. left; Frederick C. Schmid, right) 



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