region in the past eight years. Waterfowl nested in greater numbers than 
in 1939 and an estimated 65,000 young ducks were produced. 
"Food and cover also were improved on the Lower Souris Refuge, in 
North Dakota. The gain was larger than in any previous year under refuge 
administration. The rainfall on this area was greater than that for the 
spring of 1939. No increase was reported in the number of young ducks 
produced, however, as 250,000 were estimated for this year, the same as in 
1939. Canada geese nested for the first time in the history of the refuge. 
"The heaviest rainfall in recent years greatly improved food and cover 
also on the Des Lacs Refuge in North Dakota. The spreading of bulrushes, 
smartweeds, and other desirable marsh and aquatic plants from their origi- 
nal areas is very encouraging. Due to a late spring and ice lingering in 
the marshes the area was not visited by the usual number of water birds. 
The number of birds returning to nest in this refuge was undoubtedly 
affected also by the severe outbreak of botulism on the area the previous 
summer and fall at which time a great number of birds were lost. 
"At Arrowwood Refuge, North Dakota, the amount of rain falling was 
nearly 50% less than the average for the period 1892 to 1940 according to 
United States Weather Bureau reports. However, some water was present in 
the Mud Lake, Stoney Brook, and McKenzie Creek Units. Nesting birds were 
restricted to those areas and made no increase over their numbers for the 
previous three years. At the Medicine Lake Refuge, and Bowdoin Refuge, 
in Montana, there was considerable rainfall but the runoff in this region 
was not good. Impoundments, however, supplied sufficient water to the 
refuges to promote satisfactory cover and food conditions and there was 
greater utilization of the areas by waterfowl. The manager of the Medicine 
Lake area considered that the vegetation was in the best condition yet 
noted there. A substantial increase in nesting waterfowl was the response 
to the lush hay meadows of this refuge, and increases in redhead, scaup, 
and ruddy ducks were noted on the Bowdoin Refuge. : 
"The manager of the Sand Lake Refuge, South Dakota, reported that 
water conditions were poor during the nesting period with levels about the 
same as in the preceding year. Nesting waterfowl in general showed an 
increase; the gain was especially noticeable among redheads, black ducks, 
and mallards. Canada geese which nested for the first time in this area 
in 1939, again bred in 1940. 
"On the Lacreek Refuge, South Dakota, drought conditions prevailed 
curing the spring and summer, the flow of water into the area diminishing 
as the season progressed. In spite of this the water areas were in fine 
conditsun and this was reflected in an increase in nesting use of the 
area. The manager estimated that 20,000 to 25,000 young ducks were pro- 
duced in 1940. This is approximately four times the hatch of 1938. 
"Drought impaired the Valentine Lakes Refuge, Nebraska, also and as 
it has prevailed for some time, most of the larger lakes on the refuge 
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