Swales and ponds were adequately filled with runoff water in the spring 
and permitted wide dispersal of the breeding population. 
Breeding Population Indices - 
Surveys made to determine the comparative abundance of breeding pairs 
indicate a favorable nesting population. On sample check areas scattered 
throughout the State, district game biologists found a nesting population slightly 
lower than in 1954 but higher than the past six-year average. The potential 
breeding population compared to the previous years follows: 
Potential Breeders 
Year Lineal Miles Censused Per Lineal Mile 
1949 85 6. 80 
1950 81 7.91 
1951 120 8.18 
1952 82 7.13 
1953 95.5 12. 75 
1954 93.5 12.31 
1955 lil.2 11.00 
These sample check areas are representative of the better types of 
habitat in various regions of the State. 
The species composition of the potential breeding population as deter- 
mined on these sample check areas was as follows: 
Mallard 28.7 percent 
Black Duck 27.8 percent 
Blue-winged Teal 20.4 percent 
Wood Duck 6.3 percent 
Ring-necked Duck 4.8 percent 
Merganser 1.3 percent 
Pintail 1.1 percent 
Unidentified 9.3 percent 
Production Indices - 
Comparing the results of this year's brood census with those obtained 
in previous years, good production is indicated. The number of broods observed 
per lineal mile has been exceeded only once in the past six years. The average 
size of the broods was high. Comparisons are shown on the following page. 
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