Summary of Winter Snipe Counts, January 26-30, 1952.--The results 
of the firs son's pe Abundance ex are summarized briefly in 
Table 1 and Map 1. For purposes of this table, coverage has been ex- 
pressed in terms of total hours afield. More detailed data are avail- 
able, as most observations were recorded in terms of number of hours and 
miles spent in specific habitats; until we have observations from this 
coming winter for comparison, however, a more detailed analysis of the 
1952 information is not called for. It is hoped that most of the January 
1952 localities can be covered in the same manner in subsequent years and 
that new areas can be set up in strategic localities. 
Results of Rechecking 1951 Sample Areas.--Most of the areas listed 
on page WO of Special Scientific Report - Wildlife No. 1h were rechecked 
in a similar manner in Late January or early February 1952 in order to 
ascertain the amount of change in the habitats and the changes in snipe 
population. Aas had been feared, a large proportion of these small areas 
had undergone marked changes in water level and these changes had great- 
ly altered the local snipe population. The area in St. Bernard Parish, 
for instance, had been drained during the year; areas in Terrebonne and 
[berville Parishes had dried up due to drought; the Galveston area was 
- completely covered with water as result of an 8.56-inch downpour. An area 
which was intensively studied both years on the Sabine Migratory Waterfowl 
Refuge in the brackish marshes south of Sulphur, La., showed no measurable 
change in snipe population. The other area which had been checked several 
times both years, the Mobile Bay Causeway, Ala., registered a slight in- 
crease in 1952. 
Observers who participated in the January 1952 snipe counts were 
asked to comment upon significant increases ordecreases in their winter- 
ing populations if they had previous records for comparison. Of the 
twenty-three persons who felt they had comparative information, 12 
indicated increases (average rise of 26 percent), 6 indicated decreases 
(average drop of 73 percent), and 5 reported no change. While these 
samples are small, they suggest that there was no appreciable over-all 
change in the numbers of snipe wintering in the southern states from 
1951 to 1952. 
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