101600 
Such troublesome concentrations bring problems to administrative officers, 
but to sportsmen, on both the home ami the battle fronts, the abundance of ducks 
ang geese brings dreams of relaxation and pleasure in the field during the peace— 
ful days to come. 
This leaflet Conia ine a brief account of the results of the migratory game— 
bird investigations conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Service from the January 
inventory of 19!3 through that of i9b, 
PART 1: MIGRATORY WATERFOWL 
ry gam sme-bird inventory conducted in January 1943, 
there were about 119,600,0CC ducks, geese, and coots on the North American Con~ 
tinent. Migratory earnses were Sonentat hampered because many. formér observers 
are now in the armed forces or engaged in war industries. Nevertheless, enough 
reports on the 1943 spring movement were received to make possible a reasonably 
satisfactory comparative analysis, particularly when supplemented by the special 
reports of the flyway biologists and other Service field personnel. 
According to the Re 7 
Of 205 Ces ere 116 reported an increase in the numbers of waterfowl in 
general over those of the preceding spring, 56 could see no change, and 33 be- 
lieved there was a decrease. On an analysis by species, the pine Sb ones the 
Tee gain, there being 115 reports of increase,.70 of nod change, and only 20 
of decrease, . 
Because the migretory—bird regulations for 19uu4s5 permit the inclusion of 
one wood cuck in the gaily bag end the pessession limits, that species is being 
closely watched, “The 19:3 sprine reports indicated little change in its status. 
Both the canvasback and the redhead ducks registered small gains, ‘but the ruddy 
duck showed:a "leveling off" tendency as to numbers. Strangely enough the popu 
lations of all species of geese were somewhat reduced, although in most cases the 
figures were only slightly below those of 19u2, and reports of reductions were 
argely offset by those of "no change", 
The Mississipni flyway biologist, vho during the winter had been working in 
the lower Mississippi valley and along ine Gulf coast, followed the birds on their 
northward flight as far as western Minnesota. Eis renort on the Svat of the 
different species in that flyway was as follows: 
Mallard... . .». — Decrease i; Redhead . 2 6 ou = Slight 3 increase 
Black duck, , . . = No change Canvasback. , . . — slight increase 
Mottled duck, .; — Increase — Lesser scaup. .. — Slight increase 
Gadwalsay toes Me ~ Slight’ increase Ring-necked duck. -— No change 
Baldpate.::.:. . , ~ slight increase Goldeneye . . . .- No change. 
Brccmyineed Teal — Increase Ruddy duck. . ... — Slight. increase 
