Fall Migration 
With generally favorable reports from a large part of the northern 
breeding grounds, a definite increase in the numerical strength of the 
fall flocks was confidently expected. 
From the Rocky Mountains eastward to the coast the early part of the 
migration season was characterized by a long period of mild weather. 
Nevertheless, and although "bluebird weather" predominated, hunters in the 
northern plains states were successful in bringing to bag large numbers of 
birds. 
Then came the Armistice Day blizzard, a howling storm of polar origin, 
that sent temperatures to subnormal levels and, in the upper Mississippi 
Valley and adjoining regions, caused the death of many hunters and others 
caught far from shelter. Among those who had narrow escapes, was the 
biologist of the Mississippi Flyway who, back from his work in the Arctic, 
was watching the southward flight from a small island in the Mississippi 
River. In saving himself, he probably also is to be credited with saving 
the life of a hunter from a nearby island. 
The ducks and geese that had been "lazing arounc" on northern lakes 
and marshes, departed in mass for more southern latitudes. Many ob- 
servers reported great flocks flying south ahead of the storm. It appears 
that many birds were actually driven south of average stations for that 
time of the year for, as the weather moderated, there was evidence of 
some northward movement, 
Reports on the fall migration to the number of 397 were received from 
the corps of volunteer observers, 
Under the heading of "waterfowl in general," am analysis of the data 
substantiated pre-season expectations, Making comparison with reports on 
the fall flight of 1939, the gross figures showed that 74 observers could 
see no change, 175 noted an increase, and 87 believed there had been a 
decrease in waterfowl. On a percentage basis, the no-change classification 
of returns rose from 14% in 1939 to 22% in 1940. The percentage of reports 
of increase dropped from 55 in 1939 to 52 in 1940, and of those of decrease 
from 31 in 1939 to 26 in 1940. 
Among the wildfowl species, the best showing on the basis of those 
reports was made by the mallard, green-winged teal, pintail, and blue goose. 
For the redhead and the canvasback there was an apparent slight decrease, 
but the percentages were too small to be conclusive. Slight and unex- 
plained decreases also were reported for the black duck on the Atlantic 
coast and for the Canada goose in the Mississippi Valley. 
An analysis of the reports by flyways showed a reversal of a situation 
that has prevailed for several years when the important gains have been 
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