Table 2 
Comparison of Wintering Ducks 
Coastal District of Tamaulipas, 1939-41 
Unidentified 
Year : Total Ducks : Pintail : Baldpate : Redhead : Scaup : 
1939 : 453,400 : 146,600: 20,650 =: 168,600: 123,700: 36,500 
1940 : 669,300 : 252,300: 550 : 120,900 : 244,700 : 37,100 
1941 : 138,300 : 16,650: 220 : 107,600 : . 12,200 : 1,700 
During 1939 and 1940 a severe drought prevailed along the coast so that 
most of the ducks were concentrated in the lagoons. This past season, 
however, was characterized by heavy rains that refilled hundreds of small 
freshwater ponds (charcos) near the coast. These, of course, were attrac- 
tive to the shoal-water species. The scaups and redheads, however, con- 
tinued to concentrate on Laguna Madre, 
In that portion of the Laguna Madre bordering Cameron County, Texas, 
Dr. Saunders reported that his observations indicated a wintering popula- 
tion of not more than 50% of the number present in 1940. An aerial re- 
connaissance of that region on February 7 revealed only 2,000 Redheads. 
The status of this duck continuee to be one for concern. A feeling exists 
among some biologists working in western areas, that there is a heavy kill 
of these birds in the early part of.the season. 
Dr. Saunders concluded: his report with the statement that so far as 
the Brownsville district is concerned, he had observed less than half as 
many migrant and wintering ducks as were there in the winter of 1939-40. 
It is probable that a considerable part of this apparent shortage may be 
accounted for by the abundant rains and milder weather along the northern 
and central Texas coast which caused a large mimber of the birds to winter 
there instead of proceeding farther south. 
Studies in the United States 
The winter investigations of the biologists of the Mississippi and 
Atlantic Flyways were again made in the lower Mississippi Valley and ad- 
joining portions of the Gulf coast, and in south Atlantic coastal areas, 
Operating from temporary headquarters in Louisiana, C. E. Gillham 
inspected all important waterfowl concentration areas west to central Texas. 
The heavy rains that fell over so mech of the southern part of the country 
had done mich damage to rice fields. Thousands of acres were flooded and 
the abundant food thus made available to the waterfowl resulted in heavier 
concentrations than had been known for several years. 
A special problem having developed regarding the blue goose, most of 
Mr. Gillham's time was devoted to an intensive study of this species. 
18 
