compared with 5.4 in 1963. The coot 
brood index was up 76 percent from 1963 
but down 75 percent from the average 
(table B-29). 
The drying trends from May through 
early July caused a 63 percent drop in 
the water index by the time of the July 
coverage. Except for the extreme north 
and east borders of the survey area 
(parkland type), water generally remain¬ 
ed mainly in the larger permanent type 
areas, dugouts, and stock dams. These, 
in most cases, were open types with mud 
flats and little vegetation and allowed a 
greater proportion of total broods pre¬ 
sent to be observed. This condition also 
concentrated the birds. 
The Saskatchewan 1964 late nesting 
index was 28. 9 percent below 1963 and 
49. 8 percent below the long-term aver¬ 
age. It is the third lowest on record. 
Dabblers, which comprised 66 percent of 
the late nesting index this year, were 
down 42.1 percent and 59. 5 percent in the 
above comparisons. 
Both air and ground crews conducting 
air-ground visibility checks reported 
large numbers of adults of both sexes 
which had apparently abandoned their 
nesting efforts and assembled on lakes. 
MONTANA 
Data supplied by Dale Dewitt 
Montana Department of Fish and Game 
Weather and habitat conditions 
Water conditions declined in the three 
eastern areas but are still average or 
better. There was improvement in the 
Great Falls Piedmont which had been a 
drought area the last 4 years. The May 
water condition in the unglaciated prai¬ 
ries were equal to or down slightly from 
last year, which was one of the best 
years on record. The May water condi¬ 
tions in the Flathead Valley or Pacific 
Flyway portion of the State were average 
or better. 
The late water conditions could be con¬ 
sidered improved in nearly all areas in 
the State. In several areas records were 
set causing some of the worst flooding in 
history on the river systems. 
In the Great Falls Piedmont the June 
and July water conditions were probably 
better than any ever recorded (table B-30). 
Breeding populations indexes 
The May survey of the glaciated sub¬ 
divisions indicated an increase in total 
ducks over last year. In the unglaciated 
prairie the waterfowl index is above 
average. On the McCone County trend 
area the waterfowl index was 2.1 ducks 
per square mile compared with 1.6 ducks 
per square mile for the 12-year average 
and 3. 7 ducks per square mile last year. 
The waterfowl breeding population from 
the Flathead Valley trend is not included 
this year because of incomparability of 
data. 
In the Hi-Line Unit the Canada goose 
trend census during the early nesting 
season indicates an increase in breeding 
birds over last year (table B-31). 
Production indexes 
Production and breeding conditions in 
the Central Flyway portion of Montana 
should be excellent. There undoubtedly 
was some flooding in the river valleys in 
the Great Falls Piedmont, but consider¬ 
ing the improved water conditions in the 
potholes and reservoirs in this unit the 
number of birds using the river valleys 
would be insignificant. 
In the Pacific Flyway (Flathead Val¬ 
ley), production and brooding conditions 
are generally very good. Even so, the 
production trend in this unit decreased 
from last year, probably because of poor 
counting conditions. It is possible the 
production is off somewhat, but probably 
not as much as the data suggest. 
In the East Slope Unit, the population 
trend during the nesting season was down 
slightly from last year (table B-32). 
There was some flooding in this unit, 
and the count may be down because of 
poor census conditions on the Marias 
13 
