
Thus the data for any individual area, shown in Table Lae based 
upon either two or three census trips per route, depending upon circum- 
stances. 
The tabulated summary by states contains more data (and in some cases 
a higher population index) than is shown in Table 2. This is because of 
the fact that a number of new census routes were established this spring; 
in several instances these had a very high censity of breeding birds. 
Such data, of course, will not be available for comparative purposes 
until 1955. 
The increase in new census areas is very gratifying. New York and 
Maine were especially active this season in this respect. Maine now has 
a total of 59 census routes. 
Table 2 gives the comparative tabulations by states for 1953 and 
195k. These are the total figures for all routes which were censused in 
both years. As previously pointed out, this sample shows no change in 
the breeding population of woodcock in the region. 
Recommendations 
As a result of this year's studies and ensuing correspondence with 
various census cooperators, the following suggestions are made: 
1. Changes in census routes. Several cooperators in Vermont, 
Massachusetts, and Connecticut have pointed out that on some of their 
long-established routes changing cover conditions have now resulted in 
rather poor habitat for woodcock. The writer also has observed this in 
eastern Maine. Under such conditions it would seem desirable to dis- 
continue some of the present routes and to substitute new ones. 
2. Effect of adverse weather and full moon. Further data on this 
point were o e is year in Maine by Claude Westfall on the Green- 
bush area and by the writer in Washington County. It appears that the 
present 6-day postponement of census work at the time of the full moon 
may be cut to days (2 days before full moon, the day of full moon, 
and one day after). This gain of even two days at each full moon period 
would be of considerable importance in a spring such as this when adverse 
weather was so prevalent. Regarding other weather effects, it is 
suggested that no change be made from the present instructions, 
Census Organization 
Within the several states the 195), census studies were organized 
by the following: 
Maine: by We R. De Garmo, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and 
Game, and by the writer. Special assistance in eastern Maine was given 
by John Dudley, Louis Beckett, and by personnel of the Hocbenorm 
National Wild.ite Refuge. 
Wy 
