Research on the ecology and management of the American coot has been con-— 
tinued for about a year. One of the results of this study was the definite find— 
ing that the European leech causes the death of coots by establishing itself in 
the nostrils of the birds. 
Duck studies have been continued with particular reference to the life 
history, ecology, and management of the blue-winged teal; the results are now 
being prepared for publication. In the course of these studies the leader of 
the Unit. made a special trip to the Valley of Mexico, where he obtained valuable 
information on such phases of life history as flocking habits, sex ratio, food 
habits, time of change to nuptial plumage, initiation of courtship and mating, 
beginning of spring migration, migration routes in Mexico, association of teal 
and other birds, end types of water areas freauented, as well as on the extent 
of hunting in Mexico and the extent of marketing. 
About 500 game birds and mammals have been examined for parasites and 
diseases. Most of these were collected by officers of the Iowa Conservation 
Commission. 
In the quail-management studies two experimental areas were set up in 
Decatur County, one as a pay-shooting, and the other as a free-shooting, area. 
Studies also have been made on the environmental carrying capacity for 
quail. 
In November 1935 an experimental pay-shooting pheasant area was es- 
tablished in Winnebago County, and an experimental farmer-—sportsman pheasant 
area near Rockwell. All phases of management are being studied on the areas. 
Research on the life history, ecology, and management of the muskrat 
in Iowa has been carried to the point where publication of some of the results 
will soon be possible. 
The wildlife extension program has advanced to the point where 6,000 
4-H Clubd boys and girls have been instructed at meetings, plans made for a 
4-H boys wildlife conservation club, plans made for Rural Young People's wild- 
life conservation clubs, three short courses given in wildlife conservation 
for 4-H Clubs and Rural Young People, one experimental Rural Young People's 
game area established, and summer camps for these groups established, which 
were attended by 320 members. 
CONNECTICUT UNIT--LEADER APPOINTED OCTOBER 2, 1935 
Upon the organization of the Connecticut Cooperative Wildlife Research 
Unit a game-management demonstration area of 6,400 acres, in the towm of Lebanon, 
7 miles south of Willimantic, was selected and at present approximately 4,500 
acres are under management. A system of cover mapping based upon plant succession 
was developed from a similar system in use by Dr. H. M. Wight in Michigan. The 
mapping of the 6,400-acre Lebanon area was facilitated by having availablé a com— 
plete aerial mosaic map of the State. This area was established in cooperation 
with the State Board of Fisheries and Game and monaged as a standard regulated 
shooting area with the added feature of wildlife management. The planting of 
permanent cover and food in the form of pine, spruce, and nut—bearing trees and 
shrubs was begun in the spring of 1936. Eleven tracts of permanent food and 
cover were planted, and in connection with them food strips of annuals were sown. 
The shrub, tree, and annual food patch areas vary in size from three-quarters of 
CAR 
