disturbances, and predators. To maintain t:2 waterfowl population, to 
say nothing of increasing it demands a tremendous replacement that Nature 
is expected to provide annually. 
Nevertheless, in the history of our migratory waterfowl during the 
past seven years there is ample evidence to support the claim that an 
abundance of this resource is assured if we but manage it wisely. 
To achieve that end we need accomplish only two objectives, namely, 
to restore and improve habitat conditions, and to control the kill. 
Careful estimate shows that 120,000,000 acres of former waterfowl 
habitat have been taken from the birds by agriculture, manufacturing, and 
other industries. It has been figured, however, that about 7,500,000 
acres of marshland, properly distributed throughout the flyways of the 
continental United States, will take care not only of the existing popu- 
lation of ducks and geese, but of a considerably increased population. 
More than three and one half million acres of good waterfowl habitat are 
now included in Federal wildlife refuges. The refuge system of the 
Mississippi Flyway is nearly complete but mech remains to be done to pro- 
vide adequate quarters, well-stocked with food, in the other three aie 
In 1940 the sale of duck stamps increased to more than 1,200,000. 
That indicates a considerable army of hunters. Besides those gunning for 
ducks and geese other thousands of sportsmen took to the field in quest 
of Wilson's snipes, woodeocks, rails, mourning doves, white-winged doves, 
and band-tailed pigeons. Probably not all were successful, but the size 
of the hunting army makes it certain that the kill of migratory game is 
enormous. With shooting unrestricted and unregulated it would not take 
long for the horde of hunters to bag all of the game. Public shooting is 
an American tradition and American sportsmen have frequently demonstrated 
that they were willing to fight for it. But they mst also be willing to 
regulate it. 
Investigations of the status of migratory game birds have been con— 
tinuous. Fish and Wildlife biologists in their search for facts, have 
again covered the length and breadth of the continent (See map, p. 5). 
As in the last report on this subject (Wildlife Leaflet BS-165) the 
present summation treats all families of birds for which a shooting season 
is provided by Federal regulations. 
PART 1: MIGRATORY WATERFOWL 
Spring Migration 
The previous report concluded with an account of the results obtained 
from the inventory of January 1940. Estimates based upon the resulting 
data, and on experience through the preceding year indicated an increase 
of about 15% in the waterfowl population since January 1939. From the 
