Ths Brood Ss3aso0n 
Ths favorable climatic conditians of the spring continued during the symmer. 
Precipitation, although much lass than narnal, was adequate from tha standpoint 
of waterfowl in this region, The advanced plant phenology resulted in ideal 
brood cover taroughout the sotire rearing s2ason. 
Hatehing paaks for all species wore somewhat ¢arlisr then in an ayerags 
year, and much earlisr than in 1948. The peak for the black duck occurred 
about May 25; for the wood duck about June 1; and for the ring-nock about 
June 25. Witn soma species the sarlisat hatchings recorded during the entire 
13 yeers of study took placs this year; for exsmpls: black duck - May 10; 
ring-neck - June 8; blus-wingsd teal - Jun= 15. 
Diring the season, a totel of 224 waterfowl broods was recorded, Thes¢ 
Were classified on an ags basis. Brood success was noticaably improved ater 
1948, reflecting the favorable nesting season and excellent rearing conditions. 
Ths avrerags size of 75 Class III broods [those at or approaching the flying 
Stage) was 5.7 young per brood. This figure is nearly 2 birds par brood highsr 
than 4 year ago. 
Sumery and Conclusions 
1. The status of waterfowl in Maing at the atart of ths brasding ssason 
Was considerably better than in 1948; thus a general Iintresas¢e occurred for the 
third consecutive year. A heavy gain was recorded for tus wood duck, with 
substantial inersases for the ring-nacksd duck and black duck. 
2, Glimatic conditions were very favorable for waterfowl, during both 
the nesting season and brood ssason. 
3. Nesting success for all species wis determined as 68 percent - 4 
satisfactory figurs. 
4. Brood syecess for all specita was somewhat higher than in an average 
yeaT and much highsar than in 1948, 
5. The sarly hatching peaks will result in practically all young birds 
maturing long in advances of the hunting ssason. 
cl6 
