WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN QUEBEC AND LABRADOR 
W. F. Crissey and R. H. Bain 
Introduction 
The summer of 1953 marked the second aerial waterfowl breeding ground 
survey in the Province of Quebec and in Labrador. The 1952 survey was exploratory 
in nature and consisted of a single coverage of the area, beginning in early May and 
continuing until mid-July. In 1953, the survey pattern was changed somewhat and 
the plan was changed to allow for two coverages, the first during May and early June 
for the purpose of measuring the size of the breeding population, and the second 
during July for the purpose of obtaining a measure of brood production. 
W. F. Crissey and R. H. Bain (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) worked as 
pilot and co-pilot respectively, using a Grumman Widgeon airplane. In addition to 
the coverage in Quebec and Labrador, this crew covered the Maritime Province for 
the breeding pair survey and flew eastern Ontario as far west as Kapuskasing for 
both the breeding pair and brood surveys (the data are included in other portions of 
this publication). For the breeding pair counts in Quebec the transects did not 
include the area along Hudson Bay due to a shortage of gasoline at Port Harrison 
and Great Whale River. However, this area was covered during the brood survey in 
July. (See Map). 
Weather and Water Conditions 
The winter was mild throughout the region. Temperatures during March and 
April were somewhat above normal, which caused an early movement of birds 
northward. Also, these temperatures apparently caused some of the inland waters 
to open earlier than usual. According to local reports, it is customary for ducks to 
move into the mouths of rivers which usually open first and then to move inland as. 
soon as the ice breaks. During the spring of 1953, the inland waters apparently 
opened at about the same time as the river mouths, and rather than stopping along 
the coast, the birds moved inland immediately. It appears that the natives along the 
Labrador Coast depend, to a limited extent, on a spring shoot of waterfowl for food, 
taking the birds in the river mouths before they move inland. The opportunity to 
kill birds did not present itself during the spring of 1953 and the natives expressed 
some concern as to a possible reduction in birds. 
During May and June the temperatures were lower than last year, but were 
about normal for the period, 
Precipitation varied considerably within the region. During the winter there 
was relatively little snow, and in the northern and western portions there was little 
rain until July, which turned wet and cool. In southern Quebec, and along the coast 
of Labrador, precipitation during May, June and July was above average. At this 
time, however, the relationship between factors and waterfowl production is not 
well understood in the type of habitat of which the bulk of Labrador and Quebec is 
composed. It seems likely that a shortage of water would never constitute a 
limiting factor. Although flooding is potentially more serious than a lack of water, 
it seems unlikely that this would ever be serious over any broad portions of the area. 
