A comparison of the population figures for regular transects and for study 
potholsa can bs made on an individual transect basis to graluats ths effects 
of differenesa in habitat on methods of transect coverars. Spaca dosa not 
psrmit such a comparison here, 
In arriving at the figure for breeding pairs, single males and singls 
femalss wars conaidsaread a5 pairsd birds on the transsct. Howsvar, the total 
ducks figure includes only birds actually seen on the tranaect. Thersfore, 
doubling ths breeding-pair figure will in some instances result in a higher 
figure for totel ducks than ths ons given in Tables 1 and 2, This is sspecielly 
noticeable during the lattor part of the breeding ssagen when matsrnuAl females 
ars considered aa brasding pairs and males have all but disappeared from ths 
tLranssct area. 
Although brood data were gathered throughout the brood season, only one 
thorough breod gurvay covering all transects was mads, in the period July § 
to 26. Neet and brood data gathered in conjunction with this project in 
District & ars included in tho Manitoba report, 
Tabls 3 illustrates the relativs use by over-water nesters of potholss 
of saveral vegstativa types. 
Pothols types are based on dominant verstation only, end in most cases, 
the dominant type is found in 4ssociation with on¢ or mors of the other types 
of vegstation listed in the table. For sxampls, cattall-bulrush, willow-aspen- 
seigs, open sadgs-whitetop ares common combinations of vaestativa types. 
The 120 study potholes were covered for nests at least three times during 
the nasting s9agon, and it is felt that «a very mall percentages of over-water 
nests were not found. 
Water Conditions 
Water Levels in District 8 ware considered normal or slightly below on 
Mey Ll by A. 5. Hawkins, Fish and Wildlifs Service flyway biolopist. Rains 
at frequent intarvals kapt levsls up until ths and of June. At this point 
rainfall decreased ereatly, and by July 15, 40 parcent of the potholes on some 
transsetea wera dry. However, on July 21-22 a8 general rain over the district 
restored some of the dry potholes and insured 4 safs water level for ths 
remainder of tas brood season in mest others. 
Of the 120 study potholes, 25.8 pereant wers dry at aoms tims during ths 
period May 14 ta Gaptembsr 10. Sixteen peresant of the once-dry potholes re- 
geined water during the sama period. 
Amore dotailed analysis of water-levol data will sliow comparisons to be 
made tetween water-lavel fluctustion of potholes of ths several Forotative types 
and in various parts of District 4. 
UTE Cy 
Four corerages of 50.4 squares miles of ground transects in the Newdale- 
Erickson district of Manitoba ware made during the breedine season. On ths 
1,200 potholes included in the 12 transects, #4.7 ducks par squares mils were 
