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These data show little change in the black duck population from that of last 
year. The ringneck and golden-eye continued to show an increase although the former 
apparently is still below the 1945 level as reported by the Northeastern Wildlife 
Station. Other species occur in such small numbers that trends are difficult to 
determine. However, there is every reason to believe that the pintail, blue-winged 
teal and green-winged teal are at least holding their own. 
Extensive brood surveys by canoe and on foot were conducted in 1949. No 
similar endeavor was made this year so that comparable data are not available for 
determining a trend in production. Mosher conducted brood surveys in the Grand 
Pre-Canard area, the Kentville Sanctuary, and the Annapolis River marshes in 
Nova Scotia. These same areas were covered in 1949. Due to the fact that Mosher 
spent considerably more time in the studies and covered more of the Grand Pre’area, 
the data are not exactly comparable to these of 1949. However, Mosher recorded a 
total of 15 black duck, |] green-winged teal, and 6 blue-winged teal broods. For the 
same area 7 black duck, 8 blue-winged teal and 2 green-winged teal broods were 
recorded in 1949. The actual increase is undoubtedly not as great as shown, but the 
data are indicative of a good or a better production this year. 
Reconnaissance Survey on Anticosti Island 
and in Southeastern Labrador 
Anticosti 
Several days were spent in late June and early July in the interior of 
Anticosti examining the Lake Wichenden area on foot and flying low over most of 
the marshes in the eastern inland part of the island and along the south shore. The 
purpose of this reconnaissance was to determine the extent of black duck and Canada 
goose breeding. The results were disappointing to say the least. Although weather 
prevented flying more than 25 percent of the time, much of the important marsh area 
on the island was covered. During the whole stay on the island only 3 broods of 
blacks and 4 broods of Canada geese were tallied. In addition, 175 adult geese were 
seen, Practically all the adult black ducks seen were located on coastal marshes, 
Several small groups of geese were found on interior lakes and marshes and nearly 
all or most geese observed appeared to be in a moulting or flightless condition. 
Anticosti is apparently not an important goose breeding area. With the black duck, 
the importance of the island as a breeding area remains uncertain and more study 
will be required. 
Southeastern Labrador 
The extensive marshes south of the Mealy Mountains in Southeastern 
Labrador have long been of interest and it was thought that these fresh water areas 
might produce important breeding populations of black ducks and Canada geese, No 
one in the past, however, had examined these marshes from the standpoint of water- 
fowl production and it was for this purpose that the reconnaissance was made, 
Operating out of the American airbase at Goose Bay, three separate flights 
were made over these marshes (see Figure 1) and several landings were made in 
order to look over part of the terrain on foot. The marshes are quite extensive, 
being several thousand square miles in area, and drain to the northeast and east 
principally through the Eagle, Paradise, and St. Lewis rivers, 
The habitat is considerably broken up with numerous shallow, dark-watered 
lakes, ponds, and streams interspersed with extensive open muskegs and dense 
wooded areas. The waters tested were acid in reaction and contain little or no 
