32274 



PARTI: MIGRATORY WAT SRFOWL 



Spring Migration 



To the average student of birds, the spring migration is always the 

 most interesting. The movement of waterfowl at that season does not, how* 

 ever, usually compare with the spectacular flight of the fall. It was 

 accordingly gratifying to receive 387 reports of the comparative status of 

 the ducks and geese as they traveled north to their breeding grounds in the 

 spring of 194-2. 



The inventory, taken in January 1942, had shown a continental population 

 of ducks and geese estimated to have been slightly above 100,000,000, an in- 

 crease from about 70,000,000 in 194-1* Reports on the spring migration con- 

 firmed this improvement, 159 observers indicating an increase. There were, how* 

 ever, 95 observers who reported no change, while 59 others found a decrease. 



In the analysis by species, it was particularly pleasing to note the con- 

 tinued gains that were being made by such species as the Gadwall and Redhead. 

 The status of the Wood Duck showed very little change but that of the Canvas- 

 back fell off a few points, entirely in the "no change" classification. Geese, 

 generally, showed little change, a one point gain in the status of the Cackling 

 Goose probably having no special significance. - 



Breeding-ground Surveys 



Canada 



Harold S. Peters of the Atlantic Fly^ay, resumed his -operations in the 

 Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island; in the latter 

 part of the season, he made brief examinations of a few areas in Ontario and 

 Quebec. High water in parts of the Maritime Provinces probably caused the loss 

 of some nests but this was not believed to be serious. Because of commitments 

 for other work in Newfoundland, inspections were not as detailed as in past years 

 but the evidence indicated satisfactory conditions with reasonable prospects for 

 a good crop of birds, 



Prairie Provinces 



During the summer of 1942, waterfowl habitat in the Provinces of Manitoba, 

 Saskatchewan, and Alberta, was examined by the biologist of the Mississippi Fly- 

 way, Robert H. Smith, who succeeded to this position following the transfer of 

 Charles E. Gillham to the Alaska Game Commission. In addition, through the 

 courtesy of J. Smart, Controller, National Parks Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario, the 

 Service received copies of the reports covering the investigations of J. Dewey 

 Soper, Chief Federal Migratory Bird Officer for the Prairie Provinces. 



While these two investigators worked independently they met in the field 

 at Edmonton, Alberta, and so had an opportunity to compare notes. Between them 

 they obtained a remarkably fine coverage of the waterfowl areas of the Prairie 

 Provinces. 



