57 
Table ITI illustrates the 1953 population of total pairs and species composition 
as compared to that of 1952. Total pairs represents pairs plus lone drakes so that 
if the total population of ducks on the area is desired, the population figures in this 
table should be multiplied by two. 
Table III. - Population and Species Composition 

Total Pairs Percent Species Composition 
Species 1952 1953 1952 1953 
Mallard 265 258 44,1 43.6 
Blue-winged teal 142 150 23.6 on. 3 
Pintail 64 55 10.6. 9.3 
Baldpate 32 31 2 5.2 
Green-winged teal 32 34 5.3 ae A 
Canvas back 23 24 3.8 4.0 
Shoveler 12 13 2.0 22 
Scaup . 15 12. Ee 2.9 
Gadwall 7 6 1.2 1.0 
Redhead 4 4 0.7 0.7 
Ring-necked duck 4, 4 0.7 0.7 
Ruddy duck 1 1 0.2 0.2 
Total 601 592 100.0 100.0 
The population for the two years was so nearly the same for all species that it 
tends to confirm the theory advanced in our 1952 report that the Redvers Area was 
supporting a population of ducks which was very near, if not at, maximum carrying 
capacity. 
As in 1952 the number of pairs per acre was slightly greater on wooded areas 
(3.15 pairs per acre) as compared with 2.85 pairs per acre on open areas. However, 
inasmuch as the wooded areas averaged only 0.37 acres in size as compared to 0.95 
acres for the open areas this preference for wooded areas is not significant as the 
density per acre is higher on the smaller sized areas. 
Nesting Success 
During the 3 months study period, 456 nests were located. Locations of most 
nests in relation to the study area are shown on the accompanying map. Some nests 
were found too far from the study area to allow inclusion on the map but none were 
over 20 miles from the study area. Twenty-five percent of the nests were found by 
the black Labrador dog. 
Table IV includes nest history data for both active and inactive nests, the 
former being those from which a hen was flushed and then the nest followed through 
to completion. Inactive nests, or those completed when found were not a very 
reliable source of data in 1953 due to the abundant, rank cover which appeared about 
the time of hatching so that "hatched when found" nests were extremely hard to find. 
