Bauds were placed oa 1*341 individuals of 23 species of birds 
of large or medium size belonging bo various families* the majority 
oa wild ducks of 9 species. She bands used were of two kinds, both 
made of aluminum and manufactured originally for use in marking poultry. 
In each style a serial number was staged on one side, fhe reverse of 
t 
on© was marked, "notify U. S. Bept. Ag*. lash. D. 0." and of the other, 
"Notify Biological Survey, 'Washington, I). Q,“ 
In the case of birds that had been at liberty for more than a 
year the bands returned were badly worn, and those received after two 
years wear were thin and friable* One band more than four years old was 
recovered, but it is probable that on most birds that survived beyond a 
period of three years bands had become worn until they were broken and 
V Vl . ... '• j; \ : , , ' ' 
lost. I'o be used successfully, therefore, bands for water bird® should 
o. 
be twloe as thick as those ar^dinarlly used for poultry* She thick®? 
bands are now being employed by the Biological Survey in its extensive 
bird banding operations* 
All birds baadou as a basis fear the present study were released 
near the Buokville Gun Olub at the mouth of Bear Elver, Utah, save for 
a few that in 1916 were given to the State Fish and Game Commission for 
exhibition at the annual State fair in Salt lake City; these were sub¬ 
sequently released near Geneva, Utah, on the shore of Utah hake, From 
the 1,341 birds that were banded, 180 returns have been received, or some¬ 
what more than 14 per cent. Of the whole number banded, 994 were ducks, 
of which 174 were recovered. She number of returns from birds of this 
group, a little more than 17 per cent, indicates the results that 
obtained from work in banding birds of this family. 
