101600 
The eighth consecutive report for eastern Maine by the biologist of the 
Maine Cooperative “Wildlife Research Unit also showed some reduction in breeding 
peirs as compared with the population of 1942. This also was true in Pennsylvania 
according to a report submitted by the acting leader of the Cooperative Wildlife 
Researcni Unit that covered twc areas which have teen surveyed regularly since — 
1939 and 1910, 
Following the fall migration and hunting season, reports on the woodcock 
were received from Canadian migratory bird officers and ornithologists, some of 
which indicated local conditions that were almost alarming, One of these men, an 
enthusiastic hunter, wrote, "I am more convinced than ever that these birds are 
slipping from year to vear and this year in my opinion they reached their all 
time low." The kill in the Maritimes Provinces was definitely below normal. 
The compiler of this report spent two days hunting woodcock in Pennsylvania 
with officials of tne State Geme Commission, The woods were "tinder dry", and 
although the party was aided by dogs famous, for their ability to find woodcock, 
only five birds were taken and protably twice that number flushed. 
The flyway biologist revorting on the wintering grounds in southwestern 
Louisiana, however, contributed the brightest bit to the year's picture of this 
bird. Ee "found woodcock more abundant than in the famed woodcock coverts along 
the @nnecticut Valley in New England," He added, "There probably has been a 
slight increase." In wintering areas, however, some concentration is to be ex— 
pected, 
Wilson's Snive 
For the first time in several years the population status of Wilson's Snipe 
showed a slight improvement. The change was not great, but it was definitely on 
the credit side of the ledger. Only time will tell whether or not this will cone 
tinue. Percentage analyses of the 19!!2 and 1943 spring-migration reports are 
shown in tatle 2. aes, 
TABLE 2,~-Percentage analyses of the spring-migration reports 
on the status of Wilson's snipe for the years 19%2 and. 19%3 
eS OSS ee eee —— 
Status 
Year [eee a at 
| No change ' Increase | Decrease 
Oy ae Ea ilies Gk in la | 56 | 18 26 
| | 
| 61) zl | 18 
IS) ea ea nee RE Fea 8 
i i : ——— 
