The Biological Survey has continued its investigations of the mi- 

 gratory waterfowl on the breeding and wintering grounds and elsewhere 

 during migration, and in consequence believes that it possesses more 

 adequate and oomplete information on the subject than is available to 

 any other agency* 



Former reports on the status of these game birds have dealt chiefly 

 with ducks and geese* In this report these groups oontinue to form the 

 major subject of discussion, but data are included on the status of 

 other migratory species on which open seasons are provided* 



PART 1$ MIGRATORY WATERFOWL 



Spring Migration 



The preceding report issued by the Biologioal Survey on this subject 

 (Wildlife Research and Management Leaflet BS-156) concluded the account 

 of investigations with the inventory of January 1939 • The gross figures 

 obtained from this operation indicated that the continental population of 

 waterfowl, had inoreased about 14 percent over that of January 1938* While 

 the rate of increase showed a tendency to decline the situation was con- 

 sidered satisfactory. 



The general accuracy of the inventory figures was substantiated fey 

 reports oovering the spring migration from the oorps of volunteer observ- 

 ers* The number of these reports received was 298, and for "waterfowl in 

 general 11 67 reported no ohange, 31 noted a further decrease, while 210 

 showed an increase. In other words, 71 percent of the observers noted 

 increased numbers in the spring flight of 1939. 



Analyzed by sp©3ies, the result was equally encouraging, for while 

 the rate of increase varied widely with the different species, in no oase 

 did the reports of decrease exceed those of increase* As has been the 

 case during the past 5 or 6 years, the species with the most unsatisfac- 

 tory status was the redhead, for which the rate of decrease actually rose 

 1 percent* For the season under consideration, however, the number of 

 reports of decrease was only 25 as against 79 of increase, and 89 of no 

 change. As was to be expected, the species with the most extensive ranges, 

 as the mallard, pintail, green- and blue-cringed teals, and Canada Goose, 

 made the most Impressive gains. 



Breeding-Ground Surveys 



Paoifio Flyway 



Luther J* Goldman, the biologist of the Paoifio Flyway, left his head- 

 quarters early in April and proceeded to Alaska. This territorial posses- 

 ion of the United States has never been accorded its rightful importance 



