2el 
Of the 142 potholes observed, which should normally retain water through June, 
100 or 70 percent were dry. The remaining 42 potholes containing water supported 
25 broods, or 0.59 broods per square mile. Sixty percent of the 25 broods encoun- 
tered were mallard, 24 percent blue-winged teal, 12 percent wood duck, and 4 percent 
were black duck. 
Summary 
Only comparative data are included in this report with the exception of the 
aerial survey which is dealt with separately in the text, 
Approximately 50 percent of the potholes in northern Indiana were dry by May 30, 
and 70 percent by June 30. During 1951 and 1952 the water level remained at normal 
high through June, 
The breeding population survey failed to correlate satisfactorily this year and 
further discussion is not necessary since it is not considered as reliable as the brood 
survey.in Indiana. 
The number of wood duck broods observed on 143 miles of river transects 
dropped from 104 in 1952 to 93 in 1953, but the average number of young increased 
by 1.7 per brood and resulted in a 12 percent increase in the total number of young 
reared to an average age of about 3 weeks. . 
The number of mallard broods dropped 46 percent but the average number of 
young increased 2.1 per brood, The drop in broods was probably due to drought 
conditions. 
The number of blue-winged teal broods remained the same, while the number of 
young dropped 1.0 young per brood. 
In considering all species observed, the 143 miles of river transects averaged 
0.75 broods per linear mile in 1952 and 0.66 broods in 1953. The 14 pothole study 
areas, representing 15 square miles averaged 1.13 broods per square mile in 1952 
and 0, 83 broods in 1953, These transects and check areas in Indiana have been laid 
out to yield maximum trend data and the number of broods per rn area should not 
be applied to the State as a whole. 
Trapping and banding was not initiated until September. 
