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Species Composition 
Estimates of species composition were based on the number of males of each 
species observed on the ground transects. Blue-winged teal comprised 49 percent 
of the breeding duck population; pintails, 15 percent; mallards, 13 percent; 
shovelers, 10 percent; scaup, 5 percent; gadwalls, 3 percent; redheads, 3 percent; 
and ruddy ducks, 1 percent. 
Water Conditions 
Water Area Densities and Trends 
At the start of the 1953 breeding season there were 22 percent more water 
areas than in 1952. A total of 10,597 water areas of all classes were recorded for 
the 1,430 square miles of aerial transects. This indicates an average, State-wide 
density of 7.41 water areas per Square mile, compared with 6.09 in 1952. 
Physiographic Distribution of Water Areas 
The change in water area density in each physiographic division is shown in 
Table III. The increase in water area density was general over the State. There 
was a 10 percent increase on the Missouri Plateau; 25 percent increase in the James 
River Valley and Prairie Hills; a 34 percent increase in the Missouri Hills; and a 
36 percent increase in the Minnesota Valley. 
Table III. - Physiographic Distribution of Water Areas 
Water Areas Per Square Mile Percent 
Physiographic Division 1952 1953 Change 
Minnesota Valley 8. 32 11.32 + 36 
Prairie Hills 9.44 11.81 + 25 
James River Valley 10.41 13.03 + 25 
Missouri Hills 5. 36 7.19 + 34 
Missouri Plateau 3,53 3.90 + 10 
State-wide 6.09 7.41 + 22 

Duck Brood Survey 
Methods of Survey 
A duck brood survey was initiated this year on a limited trial basis. This 
survey was limited to the portion of the State east of the Missouri River. It was 
based on the system of aerial transects used in the survey of the breeding population, 
but only the even numbered transects were flown, These 8 east-west, 1/4-mile 
wide transects were 24 miles apart, north-south, and totaled 331 square miles of 
coverage, They were flown during 2 and 1/2 hour periods in the early morning and 
late evening. When necessary, water areas were circled to permit better observa- 
tion. The survey was made by 2 pilot-observer teams during the period July 13-19. 
