It was deamed nacsasary to begin ths breeding survey aa sarly as april 4, 
-gines mallerda and black ducks were definitely defanding territory by March 25. 
Trangient wadwall, baldpats, shovsler, teal, wood duck, and diving ducks wars 
commen throughout April. These species were definitely pairad, but not defend- 
ing territory. Very fow transient mallard and black ducks remsingd after April 
160. I believe torritorigt defense behavior is a valid eriterion and sntirely 
practical for braeding population surveys of this regian. Th: wood duck may ta 
ong possible sxesption, sines territorial behavior of this spetisa ia difficult 
to interprst, 
Water and Weatnsr Conditions 
In ths thrse yeare prior to 1949, tns level af Lake Erie has been ths 
limiting factor governing local duck production. Strong nortngast winds often 
raiaad ths level of ths lakes as much as four fest in one day and few, if any, 
lavess could withstand ths accompanying ways action. Ths resultant floods 
sliminated ground nests on ths natural marshes edjacent to the laks, There is 
evidences, howeysr, -that ahout half ths nests are locetead furthsr inland on farms, 
end thus secape flooding. In 1949, tha level] of Leaks Fris was more than a foot 
lowar during ths nesting season, and the accompanying drought combinad with the 
lowerad lseyol to ¢reats very favorable nesting conditions. When the lavel of 
Laks Eris atands at 573.1 faet aborts sea leyel, optimum breeding conditiona 
prevail in the largs marshes adjacent to the lakes, At this level, areas ars 
exposed which sarvs as losfing spotea, nesting sites, and preducs abundant fond, 
such as smartweed, millet, and rics cut-frass. In tne absences of fleods, marah 
ownars can manipulets sarsh water leysls to ersats ths maximum amount of shore- 
lins for breeding toerritoriss. Such conditions prevailsd throughaut the 1949 
nesting Season, 
Hast ing bUucoIaS 
During June and duly, 4 brood survey was conducted, For all species com- 
bined, an aysrage of 32.5 broods par squares mils was seen indicating that 63.9 
pereent of ths bresding pairs was successful. Glass I brogds averagad 4.8 for 
ail spectes, while Class III averaged 6.2, indicating a less of young of 29.5 
percent. 
Thers was some evidence that thea unuéually high population of raceoon und 
opossum in the locality caused extensive nest destruction, but actual data on 
this factor are insufficient to warrant conclusions, Considerable data upon 
nesting crows have been gathersd by Ur, Laurel Van Camp, Ottawa County Game 
Frotector, and ths writer. Thess data indicate that tns erow population for 
this region was significantly lowsr than "normal," both in 1948 and 1949. 
Mr. VanCemp has carried on an extensive banding program of young crows in the 
nest for several yoars, and nis data show that neating success of crows was 
very poor in 1949. Ths raccoon figured prominently in the destruction of crow 
nests, Snapping turtles area very common in local marshes, but their effect 
upon breed losses is difficult to measures. 
Oumar 
The mallard, black duck, blue-winged teal, wood duck, and pintail, in order 
of abundances, nested in the Lake Erie region of Ohio in 1949. <A total of 1853 
pairs of thess species was recorded on 2,272 acres of marshland, or 51.5 pairs 
per square mile, The area coversd raprssants about le pereent of the marsh area 
og 
