3227k 



"Taking all factors into consideration, I believe there is' an in- 

 crease of waterfowl in Canada (the Prairie Provinces) this year, and that 

 the increase may be substantial. My reasons for this statement are as 

 follower'- Manitoba has produced the most ducks this year since the low 

 ebb in the early nineteen- thirties, and while large areas in Saskatchewan 

 and Alberta did not attract nesting birds due to lack of water early in 

 the spring, the birds surely went on through and will have produced broods 

 elsewhere, since we know that more birds came north this spring. Moreover 

 there will be no loss this year from drouth and. while there has been some 

 loss due to nest flooding, late freezes and predation, these losses will 

 not approach the annual drouth loss previously experienced. n 



British Columbia 



Again, through the courtesy of Canadian officials, the "Service was 

 provided with a copy of the report of J. A. Munro, Chief Federal Migratory 

 Bird Officer for British Columbia. Most of Mr. Munro' s work was in the 

 Cariboo region in the northern '.part of the Province. Operations were con- 

 ducted from a base at 122 Mile, Lac la Hache. 



The nesting season was somewhat later than usual as Baldpates were 

 still associated in pairs in the latter part of June and smaller numbers 

 of post-breeding Mallards and Pintails were observed during the early part 

 of ithat month. Broods, particularly those of the Barrow's Goldeneye and the 

 Bufflehead, were somewhat smaller than usual — a possible result of frequent 

 heavy rains and hail-storms that occurred about hatching time, Eb marked 

 change in the numerical status of either pond or diving ducks was observed. 

 Some minor changes took place on some of the lakes examined but in general, 

 they balanced each other. The number of nesting Canvasbacks was definitely 

 larger while some reduction was recorded for the Green-winged Teal, Blue- 

 winged Teal, and Shoveller. A small population of Cinnamon Teal had at 

 least doubled in size, 



Alaska 



The biologist of the Mississippi Flyway, Charles E. Gillham, had been 

 transferred to the Alaska Game Commission but since plans had been completed 

 for his work on the waterfowl of the Yukon delta region, this assignment was 

 not changed. 



He established summer headquarters at Chevak, in the Hooper Bay area on 

 April 17, going in with a plane piloted by Alaska Game Agent Gren Collins. 

 At this time the area was covered with snow and ice and no waterfowl had 

 arrived. Because of his early arrival he witnessed the entire spring migra- 

 tion and his report contains much valuable data on that subject. 



The conclusion was reached that the Territory should produce an abundant 

 crop of waterfowl for the 19 k2 season. Climatic conditions were normal and, 

 due to shortage of ammunition, the kill by Eskimos was very light. Good 

 clutches of eggs were laid and broods of young were of. normal size. The most 



