4. Green-winged teal, a difficult species to observe. . 
aerially in the parklands when they are leafed as they were — 
this year, increased 17 percent in Stratum B; but, in 
prairie areas where observation possibilities were greatly 
improved, losses appeared to be considerable, down 44 per- 
cent in Stratum A, and down 42 percent in Stratum C, fora 
provincial loss of 15 percent. 
5. The gadwall, usually a species whose population remains 
relatively constant, increased 15 percent, the greatest 
increases occurring in the parklands (42 percent) and in 
Stratum C (50 percent). 
6. Losses in population of the shoveler in the parklands was 
offset by gains in the prairies, so that the provincial index 
declined only 2 percent. 
7. Among the divers, redhead, scaup and ruddys all showed 
appreciable increases mines only the canvasback Beahinknly 2 
somewhat. 
8. After a very high coot index in 1954, a return to more . 
normal populations in 1955 make the 41 percent decrease 
loom large. However, the 1955 index is still about 31 per- » 
cent above the long-time average. 
Production Indices - 
Phenologically, this waterfowl season has been a normal one, 
with nesting of pintails and mallards starting in late April. Agricultural 
disturbances to early nests were minimized by early spring rains. Nest 
losses due to predation was high in the parklands but was partially offset 
by a strong and early renesting effort. Much of the production of both the 
prairies and the parkland was the result of a first hatch. At the time of the 
aerial brood survey, over 90 percent of all observed broods were either 
Class II's or III's and a great many fling III's were noted throughout the 
Province. Of the Class I and small Class II broods identified the bulk are 
of late nesting puddler and diver species. 
Only in Stratum C has a marked reduction in production 
occurred (13.7 percent below 1954). In Stratum A an increase of 15.6 per- 
cent of broods observed was noted, but in the parklands where visibility 
factors in July are always working against an aerial observer, a tremendous 
increase in broods was apparent, 73.9 percent above last year's high. 
16 
