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Table VII. - Brood Averages - Class III only (North and South Dakota) 
Species 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 
Blue-winged teal 7.54 7.37 7.74 7.56 8.11 
Pintail 5,69 5.93 5.73 6.67 6.73 
Gadwall 7.40 8.29 7.75 6, 80 8.67 
Mallard 6.67 6.25 7.24 6.62 6.52 
Shoveler 6,54 7.31 7.37 5.50 6.62 
Ruddy duck 6,50 - 5.00 - 4.80 * 
Redhead 6.25 - 7.33 7.00 6.00 
Lesser scaup - 7.00 - 6.18 me 

* Too few broods to give accurate averages. 
Brood counts were made between July 20 and August 13. Most brood averages 
seemed to be higher in 1953. If these brood averages are statistically significant 
then the larger size of broods in 1953 may make up for the lesser number of total 
broods produced. 
Summary 
In general it may suffice to say that based on the limited data upon which this 
report is based that the 1953 waterfowl production in the Dakotas was only slightly 
less than in 1952 and not much if any below the average for the past six years. 
Production of pintails is definitely below that of 1952 and mallards may be down 
somewhat. We believe that the decrease in both species was caused by a lack of 
water at the time of spring migration rather than a shortage of breeding stock, 
After a comparatively dry spring, there was abundant rainfall throughout the 
months of May, June and July. This precipitation maintained pothole levels 
throughout the brooding season in most of the important breeding areas in the 
Dakotas. 
