Fig. 8. -- A group of about 25 incapacitated mallards, each of which apparently had ingested shot pellets 
before succumbing to lead poisoning near Grafton, Illinois, in January, 1948. Lead-poisoned ducks fre- 
quently seek concealment in shore-line vegetation. (Photograph from Olin Industries, Inc.) 
from 2,000 to 3,000 died on this occasion. Although the total seems large, it represented less than 3 per 
cent of the duck population in the area. In January, 1947, approximately 200 ducks that had died in a 
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Single week from lead poisoning were counted i 
mallards present. 
The problem became acute in this area only recently, for large numbers of hunters did not con- 
centrate here until it was established as a refuge and public shooting ground in 1942. From that time to 
the end of the 1946 season, these shooting grounds were frozen over by the end of the season, thereby 
preventing waterfowl from reaching the shot. During the spring floods the pellets were beneath deep 
water. Dabbling ducks could not reach them, and diving ducks were seldom abundant in this area. 
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