124 
It is anticipated that the present sampling system will be used, and the same 
areas covered, for a number of years, thus facilitating the assessment of breeding 
trends. 
Comparison with the 1952 results is difficult as only about half the shoreline 
counts can be utilized and most of the transect data come from very poor habitat. 
More information on the numbers of migrants belonging to species also nesting in 
the region is needed. The large concentrations of black ducks off the Nova Scotia 
coast (already mentioned by Addy) need further study before reliable estimates of 
the breeding population can be made. 
The following table gives an estimation of breeding trends for the past two 
years for comparable areas: 
Table I. - Breeding Population Trends, 1952-1953 
Black Ducks Total Game Ducks 
Type of Coverage 1952 1953 1952 1953 
(Birds per square Mile) 
Inland Transects - boreal 
Forest 0.94 0.84 1.48 1.14 
Northeastern Wildlife 
Station Study Area 43.67 52.53 84.00 104,53 
(Birds per linear mile) 
Shoreline Counts 4,00 6.10 5.24 7,44 
Success of the Season 
The summer survey was carried out by members of the Canadian Wildlife 
Service. 
Areas covered by air in 1952 were flown over again this year, In addition, the 
spring transects in the mixed boreal forest were re-run and a few marsh areas and 
additional shoreline were surveyed, 
The greater part of the aerial work was done with a Fleet Canuck, a small 
two-seater highwing monoplane ideally suited for this type of work. Observations 
in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia were made by Brian C. Carter, Dominion 
Wildlife Officer. In New Brunswick aerial observations were carried out by the 
writer. Part of the New Brunswick inland transects were run in an Anson supplied 
by the New Brunswick Forest Service. Most of the areas were surveyed from two 
to three weeks later than last year. It is felt that this should give better results 
although it might show a lower count of non-flying broods of early nesting species. 
A comparison of the aerial brood counts for 1952 and 1953 is shown in Table II. 
The drop in number of black duck broods can probably be explained by the early 1953 
season and the later survey dates this year. From ground observations it is known 
that many young blacks were awing during the time of the 1953 survey, and conse- 
quently may have been included in the "adult" population. Aquatic vegetation was 
very lush this year and the broods were better able to escape detection. Summer 
populations per square (or linear) mile are shown in Table III. : 
