At the conclusion of the work in June the indications pointed to a 

 good hatch of ducklings in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Nevertheless, 

 subsequent cheoking in September showed very little improvement over 1938, 

 probably because of a late spring and high waters, which cut down the size 

 of the broods. As is well known, the blaok duck is the principal nesting 

 duck in that region, but it is gratifying to record a steady inorease in 

 the number of nesting pintails, blue-winged teals, and ringneoks. Little 

 change was noted in the status of the Canada goose. 



Nesting Conditions in the United States 



Beoause of greater spring run-off the breeding season of 1939 showed 

 improved nesting conditions on the Federal refuges of the Biological Sur- 

 vey, with a resultant increase in the production of waterfowl. On one 

 refuge in the northern Great Plains, however, breeding areas were not so 

 heavily utilized as in 1938, beoause improved water conditions in the 

 surrounding territory resulted in a dispersal of the birds. In the sand- 

 hill region of Nebraska also the production of waterfowl was limited to 

 some extent by drought. 



On the Lake Bowdoin Refuge, in eastern Montana, a substantial inorease 

 in nesting waterfowl was observed, especially of pintails, redheads, ruddy 

 ducks, lesser scaups and cinnamon teals* 



An outstanding increase in breeding ducks was reported on the Lower 

 Souris Refuge, in North Dakota, where it was estimated that 250,000 young 

 were raised during the 1939 season as compared with 40,000 during 1938. 



The Waubay Refuge, in South Dakota, was favored with an inorease in 

 the number of breeding ruddy ducks, baldpates, and blue-winged teals. 



The refuge manager at the Camas Refuge, in Idaho, reports inorease d 

 nesting by baldpates, green-winged teals, blue-winged teals, and redheads. 

 It was also observed that there were at least three times as many pintails 

 on the area during the nesting season of 1939 as in 1938. Large numbers 

 of these birds also apparently oonoentrated on the refuge to pass the molt- 

 ing season. 



A considerable inorease in the production of waterfowl was noted on 

 the Des Laos Refuge, in North Dakota, during the 1939 season. 



The manager of the Red Rooks Lake Refuge, in Montana, reported more 

 nesting Canada geese than at any time since its establishment. Substan- 

 tial Increases were noted also for other nesting waterfowl. 



At the Sand Lake Refuge, in South Dakota, there were decided increases 

 in nesting redheads, oanvasbacks, and ruddy ducks. 



