
85 
The data may be combined into a forecast index as shown in 
Figure 2. The index is derived in the same manner as in May. 
On the basis of the weights given the five factors, the forecast index 
for 1955 did not compare favorably with that for 1952 or 1954. However consider - 
ing the high winds during the 1955 July survey leading to a low brood count, the 
probable greater ease with which May populations can be measured, and continued 
favorable nesting and brood conditions, it is believed that production in 1955 
actually exceeded that of 1954. 
Special Study Area 
A new special study area was established this year in the parkland of 
Manitoba. This is a transect 40 miles long and one-eighth mile wide running 
roughly south from Minnedosa and west through Rapid City established to furnish 
data for ground-air comparisons and for studies of production. 
No comparative data are available from previous years. However, the 
highest counts for each species when combined show densitities of 113 pairs of 
ducks and 54 pairs of coots per square mile. The highest brood count showed a 
minimum density of 19.4 broods of ducks and 14 broods of coots per square mile. 
The transect contained 110 potholes per square mile representing 12.6 percent 
of the total area. 
Banding 
The banding crews again concentrated on flightless young which 
could be recorded as locally reared. They were captured by driving the broods 
into V-type traps set up on the margins of potholes. Efforts were concentrated 
in Stratum "A" where the majority of populations of sufficient density to warrant 
attempts at trapping are located. Due to the extreme high water and abundance 
of escape cover, trapping was even more difficult than is usual-in the parklands. 
