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FU.S. Department of Agricufure } 
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Fish and Wildlife Service 
Wildlife Leaflet 196 
Washington, D. C. # July 1941 
THE STATUS OF MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS: 1940-41 
Prepared in the Section of Distribution and Migration of Birds 
Division of Wildlife Research 
Contents 
Page: Page 
Introduction....cccceccccveceees 1: Part 1: Migratory waterfowl--Cont'd. 
Part 1: Migratory waterfowl.... 2: Studies in the United 
Spring mpracviONncsscssescces | 28 DUALESelcecicieicisisic cele cieielS 
Breeding ground surveys.... 3:3 January inventory.ccccrccese 20 
Pacific Flyway...ecccecee 3: Part 2: Other migratory game 
Ci ntral and Mississippi ° NDUPCIS's o's c scl sic’s bos els oto selecere eleie al 
PV Wayclelcie els\e c's eclels oe Gu: WOOUCOCK. cece. i covcsmecece 21 
Atlantic Py WAY foie «cles « 10 3 Wilson's STPCirccccececoeces 23 
Nesting conditions in : Rails and cootS..ccccccccsee 23 
the United States.... 2s Mourning GGVG\s es sicie ciele o cele ster 24 
Fall Migratbion.cccccscccccs 15 3 White-winged GOVE ce ccccccccs 25 
Wintering-ground surveys... 16: Band—tailed pigeonecesccccee 27 
Studies in Mexico...... 167: ConcIUSwOSN sic elevele ole'e! cieleleleieleieisioveiele 27 
INTRODUCTION 
For many years most species of migratory game birds have been in a 
precarious situation. Drainage of millions of acres of marshland has de- 
prived the waterfowl of large portions of’ their natural habitat, while 
improved roads and better means of transportation have made it easier 
for gunners to hunt the ducks, geese, snipe, woodcock, doves, and 
pigeons. Each fall they all have to run the gauntlet of a constantly 
increasing army of hunters equipped with modern weapons and more and more 
powerful ammunition. In addition, and throughout the year they are 
called upon to withstand unpreventable losses from diseases, climatic 
