18 
No sporting ducks were observed north of Eskimo Point on the coast and none 
north of the Thelon River in the interior. The most important ducks recorded north 
of these points was the Old Squaw. Eiders were observed only on the east coast of 
Southampton Island (total of 26), on Coats Island (total of 9), and at Uhesterfield 
Inlet (total of 5). | 
vanada geese (probably the Lesser) were observed scattered in small groups 
as far north as the surveys were conducted. A large concentration Well over 2, 000) 
was observed in the Beverly Lake area. 
Snow geese were almost entirely confined to definite breeding colonies, The 
largest breeding concentrations observed were those in the McConnel River Delta 
near Eskimo Point, and the Boas River on Southampton Island. The numbers appeared 
to be about the same as last year, 15,000 and 25,000 respectively. This year, as in 
past years, many examples of a snow goose and a "blue'' goose guarding the same nest 
or the same brood were observed, which suggests quite strongly that these two species 
are actually only one species. A small nesting colony of snow geese was observed 
about 20 miles east of Churchill between Norton Lake and La Perouse Bay. This area 
has been flown several times before (1950 and 1951), but the colony has not been 
previously recorded and appears to be a new development. Twenty-three nests and 
three broods of snow (and blue) geese were recorded in this area, The north and east 
coastline of Southampton Island was flown this year and no colonies of nesting snow 
geese were observed, Apparently the only nesting snow geese on this Island are in the 
vicinity of the Boas River Delta. Four snow and blue geese and two broods were 
recorded on‘the north side of Coats Island. | 
One of the greatest contributions of the Far North to the Continental waterfowl 
picture is in the production of geese. Breeding Canada geese, judging from the data 
gathered thus far, appear to be scattered over the entire north country. Because of 
the magnitude of the area involved, the population of Canada geese produced in the 
Far North must be large. Also the Arctic is solely responsible for the entire 
production of snow geese. 
It is time to think about attempting to band geese on the Far North breeding 
grounds, Enough is now known of the location of some of the important Canada and 
snow geese concentration areas so that banding expeditions can be sent into this 
country with a reasonable assurance of success. Undoubtedly in the future other 
important concentration areas of breeding and moulting geese will be found, Band. 
returns from these populations will yield valuable information as to the utilization 
and migration of these northern geese down the four flyways. 
Incidental Observations 
This year for the first time large numbers of white whales (Beluga) were 
observed in the vicinity of the mouth of the Seal River. As nearly as could be judged 
from the air, this concentration was considerably larger than the one in the Churchill 
River. 
The Wilson River drainage was not covered this year and as a result, a large 
part of the caribou herd was not seen, Several thousand caribou were observed near 
Kaminak Lake and about 54,000 were recorded between Baker Lake and Aberdeen 
Lake on July 18. Four caribou were recorded on Coats Island, but none were observed 
on Southampton Island. 
