4 BULLETIN 1268, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUKE 



So great is the extent of the territory assigned to most of these 

 regional associations that further subdivision will ultimately be 

 necessary. This is being anticipated and will be accomplished 

 when the cooperators in any geographic area become sufficiently 

 numerous and leaders for new groups can be developed. There are 

 already many station operators of experience who will, no doubt, be 

 capable of furthering such activities. 



RETURNS REPORTED TO THE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 



Facts relative to the 1,746 returns that were received by the Bio- 

 logical Survey during the period from January 1, 1920, to June 30, 

 1923, are set forth in this report in tabular form, in order that coop- 



Returns from 



MALLARDS BANDED 



at BROWNING, ILL. 



Fig. 1. — Localities from which bands have been returned that were attached to mallard ducks at the 

 Sanganois Club, Browning, 111., during the period February 28 to March 25, 1922, and September 27 to 

 December 15, 1922. In the Mississippi Valley one spot on the map may indicate several returns. A 

 study of the migration of this important game bird is receiving special treatment by means of the banding 

 method and, as illustrated, information already received shows a dispersal from the point of banding over 

 a vast region that extends from the coast of Texas and Louisiana north to central Manitoba and Sas- 

 katchewan, with an occasional mallard traveling east to the Atlantic coast 



erators and others interested may the more readily use the available 

 information for present purposes and as a basis for further investi- 

 gations. In addition, it is believed that the meager results obtained 

 from the banding of some species will serve as a stimulus for those 

 who may be sufficiently ingenious to devise new and effective con- 

 trivances for the capture of birds of these species in larger numbers. 

 The tables in this report are presented without discussion, for the 

 reason that it is deemed inexpedient to attempt detailed comment 

 for all groups when it is obvious that the material will permit a wide 

 range of interpretation. This will depend not only upon the charac- 

 ter of the returns obtained for different species, but also upon ecologi- 

 cal, meteorological, and other factors that demand full consideration. 



