Age of a baldpate duck can be 

 determined by examining wing 

 feathers. Tfiis type of aging 

 tecfinique is used to measure 

 annual production of several 

 kinds of waterfowl. 



The Center directs several cooperative pro- 

 grams aimed at uiKlersiandiiig the status and mi- 

 gratoi-y habits of song birds. General migration 

 patterns and trends are followed by means of 

 an annual inquiry sent to 3,()()() observers across 

 the country. The observers report on the abun- 

 dance of about 40 key species of birds selected as 

 representative. Seasonal counts by qualified ob- 

 servers and a cooperative netting and banding 

 program give more detailed information. Mi- 

 grat ion patterns of hawks and owls over a lO-year 



period are now being summarized. Special at- 

 tention is Ijeing given to tlie bald eagle, our 

 national bird, whose numl)ers are reported to lie 

 waning sharply in the eastern part of the 

 United States. 



The Bird Banding Office has records of bird 

 disti-ibution in the Ignited States from 1881 to 

 tlie present. These files of original and published 

 reports on bird distribution ai-e the chief source 

 of basic information on this subject in the United 

 States. 



10 



U.S. Gome Management Agent receiving mallard from trained 

 Labrador retriever. The bird will be banded and released. 



P 



,^pn«B 



