
There was evidence of a lack of, or an unsuccessful attempt at, first nesting 
among mallards and pintails. There was little, at the end of July, to show signs of 
any important attempt at second nesting by these two species. Other species appeared 
to be holding their own, or showing some improvement over 1949 production. 
Indications are that Saskatchewan enjoyed a fairly good breeding season and 
production should be as good, or better than that in 1949. 
Banding 
The 1950 banding operations in Saskatchewan were started on July 12, at 
which time large concentrations of moulting adult waterfowl were using Johnston and 
Eyebrow Lakes. There were practically no young birds available from the delayed 
early hatch, and prospects for banding juveniles were considered poor. Banding sites 
and the proper time to start the operation were determined by means of the U. S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service airplane, piloted by J. J. Lynch. The airboat was again found to 
be invaluable for moving equipment and driving waterfowl in these lakes. 
In spite of all delays, and a shortage of equipment and personnel for a job of 
this magnitude, a successful banding program was completed on August 4. Some 5, 410 
ducks were banded on Johnston and Eyebrow Lakes. The following table shows the 
number, species, sex and age of all birds banded. 



Species Adult Male Adult Female Juv. Male Juv. Female Total 
Pintail 1445 508 5 5 1963 
Mallard 678 68 10 7 763 
Blue-winged teal 842 103 945 
Green-winged teal 1294 184 1478 
Shoveler 114 17 131 
Baldpate 115 6 121 
Gadwall 3 3 
Black duck 3 1 ; 4 
Cinnamon teal 1 l 
Redhead 1 . 1 
Ringneck l l 
Coot 47 
Eared grebe 2} 
Total birds 5478 
Total ducks 5410 
The banding crew, directed by F. Thompson, United States Game Management 
Agent, was made up of W..Paynter and J. Brownlee, Saskatchewan Game Branch Field 
Officers, and R. Lawhorn and C. Mueller, United States Game Management Agents. 
Members of the staff of the Saskatchewan Provincial Museum assisted in several drives. 
Dr. William Elder of the University of Missouri used his fluoroscopic equipment to 
determine the incidence of lead in the tissues of waterfowl trapped at Johnston Lake. 
