The observers carefully selected by the Survey were on the alert, how- 

 ever, and they prepared and sent in to the Washington office more than 500 

 reports. Gross analysis of these statements for all waterfowl showed 232 

 reports of an increase, 61 of no change, and 133 of a decrease in numbers. 

 There was considerable deviation in the percentages from those of 1938, 

 Although the percentage of no change dropped from 19 to 14, and the per- 

 centage of increase fell from 75 to 55, that for decrease rose from 6 to 

 31* As stated above, these results are probably due at least in part to 

 the abnormal weather conditions and the resulting rapidity of the migra- 

 tion* 



On the basis of direct statement of "inorease," "decrease," or "no 

 change," and considering the country as a whole, it appeared that nearly 

 all species had made satisfactory gains. For no species did the total re- 

 ports of decrease exoeed those of increase. The ruddy duck and the ring- 

 necked duck made the poorest showing. 



Analysis according to the respective flyways showed the most satisfac- 

 tory conditions in the Atlantic and Mississippi regions, a very slight im- 

 provement in the Pacific, and a distinct loss in the Central, In the last 

 named, the percentage of decrease rose from 10 percent in 1938 to 36 in 

 1939* Lack of adequate water areas over much of this flyway is the ob- 

 vious reason for the poor showing. 



Wintering-Ground Surveys 



Studies in Mexico 



As the ducks and geese moved southward to their winter quarters they 

 were aooampanied by the flyway biologists. Since previous investigations 

 demonstrated that the most important wintering grounds of the Pacifio and 

 Central Flyways are now in MexLoo, Saunders and Goldman resumed their 

 studies in the eastern and western parts of that country, respectively. 



On the east coast, Saunders repeated much of his investigation of 

 1938-39, Operating by automobile, boat, and airplane from temporary head- 

 quarters at Brownsville, Tex,, he carried on the work southward on both 

 the Gulf and mainland sides of the Laguna Madre tc Tampico, West of that 

 city he thoroughly covered extensive marshes, inoluding those along the 

 Rio Tsmesi, and the Lagunas Chairel, Tortuga, and Pueblo Vie jo. From 

 Tampico he made studies southward to the head of the Laguna Tamiahua. 

 Continuously unfavorable flying weather during January prevented his mak- 

 ing the aerial survey on dates comparable with those of the preceding win- 

 ter, although he devoted three days, February 20, 21 and 22, to this op- 

 eration in the coastal region of Tamaulipas and northern Vera Cruz, sur- 

 veying the area from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the southern end of 

 the Laguna Tamiahua, 



