142 
Summary 
Breeding ground investigations were conducted in Montana for 
the second straight year. 
Aerial and roadside census routes established in 1949 were 
again utilized in 1950. 
Snow and freezing temperatures in early June disrupted early 
nesting and caused large scale renesting throughout the State. 
The breeding ground population of waterfowl was slightly 
larger than the population observed in 1949. 
Species composition of the breeding population was essentially 
the same in 1950 as it was in 1949. <A very few individual 
species on individual geological areas showed large fluctuations 
in species composition. Mallards, pintails, and blue-winged 
teal were again the most important breeding ducks in Montana. 
The success of the renesting attempts made the average brood 
sizes observed equivalent to or slightly larger in 1950 as 
compared to 1949. The lateness of the season was exemplified 
by many downy young of all species being observed as late as 
August 13. 
Banding was incidental to other activities. However, 143 geese 
were banded on Bowdoin Wildlife Refuge. 
