the valley almost to Beverly Lake. On both sides of the valley the land rises to bleak 
Precambrian barrens -- the valley itself is rich by comparison. Inits lower section, 
from Grassy Island down, the current is relatively slow-moving, and the river 
contains several sub-deltas with numerous channels and islands. Gees2 were en- 
countered from Eyeberry Lake all the way through to the western section of Aberdeen 
Lake. In all, 20 snow geese, 87 white-fronts, and 8,576 Canada geese were recorded, 
Perry, Ellice, and Kugaruk drainages, lying east of the high, rugged upland 
boardering Bathurst Inlet, were surveyed throughout from source to mouth. All 
drain north to Queen Maud Gulf, entering the sea along a low coast indented with 
shallow bays and containing many islands. The Perry is the longest, coming off the. 
rugged Precambrian plateau to the south, and is quite deeply entrenched in most of its 
upper reaches. Inits lower course it flows through broad tundra meadows. The Ellice 
and Kugaruk are shorter and for the most part wander through broad tundra meadows. 
Consequently, they are much better goose areas than the Perry. All flow through a 
region of innumerable lakes, many of which contain geese. On the Perry we recorded 
380 Canada geese, 258 white-fronts, and 180 white geese; on the Ellice, 21 white geese, 
113 white-fronts, and 2,526 Canada geese; on the Kugaruk 2,155 geese of all species. 
Near the coast, a few black brant were present. 
The rivers draining to the south coast of Victoria Island, although very short, 
were all found to have small numbers of peese--Canadas, white-fronts, and black brant. 
Breeding Population Trends 
The transect sample figures for which there are comparative data are listed in 
the following tables: 
Table I. - Lake Claire,- Athabaska Delta, Alberta * 
1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 
Ducks Per square mile 41 177.4 66.4 Stel 57.8 51.4 
Est. breeding pop. index 82,000 354,800 132,800 74,200 115,600 102,800 
Percent change from former + 333 -62.6 ~ 44 + 56 - ll 
years 
*Estimated area 2,000 square miles. 
Percent Species Composition, 1953 
Species Percent Species Percent 
Pintail 26 Blue-winged teal Pe 
Mallard 25 Scoter 2 
Scaup l2 Gadwall I 
Shoveler 10 Green-winged teal 1 
Baldpate 7 Ruddy duck 1 
Redhead 6 Goldeneye 1 
Canvasback 5 Bufflehead 1 
