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brood in Table [I shows a considerable reduction. Thus, while the total brood 
production varied slightly, the number of immature blacks available for the gun 
decreased, 
2. Wood Duck - A total of 93 broods in 1952; 133 in 1953, 
The wood duck, as explained previously, has made a strong comeback this 
year, withits total brood production up 43 percent. While the average number of 
young per brood decreased, this reduction was not as great as in the case of the 
black duck, While many nesting boxes were partially submerged, clutches from 
renests did not serve to lower the average brood size as markedly as in the 
black duck. 1 
3. Ring-necked Duck - A total of 8 broods in 1952; 16 in 1953, 
As New Hampshire's newest addition to her nesting species, the ring-necked 
duck has shown a very marked increase in brood production. While no new nesting 
sites were uncovered, the number of broods on previously used areas nearly 
doubled in all instances. Average brood size was lower in 1953, however, tending 
to offset somewhat the effects of an increased brood production. Due to its late 
nesting habits, figures for age Class III broods are few and do not accurately 
reflect the availability of immatures for hunting. 
4. Goldeneye - A total of 13 broods in 1952; 11 in 1953. 
The goldeneye reveals a very slight decrease (1.0 percent) in brood 
production. Average brood size increased as high water levels provided optimum 
conditions for rearing of young birds on the larger northern lakes. The over-all 
picture of the goldeneye in northern New Hampshire has shown a slight but steady 
drop in production during the past 3 years. The occupation of the goldeneye's 
breeding sites by the ring-necked duck has aroused some speculation in the writer's 
mind as to the former's future. While there is no evidence to show that the 
goldeneye is not tolerant of the ring-necked duck, it may well be that a gradual 
shifting northward of the goldeneye's southern breeding limit is taking place. 
5. Hooded Merganser - A total of 21 broods in 1952; 26 in 1953, 
The Hooded merganser still remains New Hampshire's third most common 
nesting duck, While brood production of this species increased in 1953, the average 
brood size figures parallel those of the wood duck in showing a decrease, The 
Northern region still remains the stronghold for this species, although a substantial 
number are to be found in the State's lakes region. 
6. American Merganser - A total of 5 broods in 1952; 16 in 1953, 
This increased brood production is more apparent than real, due to a more 
intensive coverage of Lake Umbagog and surrounding waters in 1953. Some 
knowledge of its relative abundance in this area has thus been gained. 
