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For comparative purposes all the duck broods, complete, incomplete, 
unclassed and unidentified were used in Table IV. This was done for comparative 
purposes with last year's data and also to give us a total brood and young duckling 
production. The average brood size in 1955 was 4.62 as compared to 4.35 in 
1954, indicating an increase of six percent in brood size. Comparing total young 
produced we find it was down 21 percent from last year, and number of broods 
down 25 percent. Noting in our breeding pair count in May and June a decline of 
23 percent, a reduced production of 21 percent was not unexpected. 
Considering the Canada goose production the picture had taken an about 
face. Noting Table V we find the brood size reduced from an average size of 4.06 
in 1954 to 3.59 in 1955, a decline of 12 percent. However, the number of young 
produced was up 49 percent over last year. The actual increases, in production, 
were noted in the plateau marshes of the Laurentians, particularly in the vicinity 
of Ashwanipi Lake and Knob Lake areas. We did not get over the goose breeding 
areas in the tundra. Secondhand information from the tundra areas indicated a 
late season and may involve some decrease in goose production there. It appears 
that a good portion of the goose population did get on the nesting areas with an 
increased production; although we didnot record them in our May and June transect 
flights. 
_ In considering potential later brood influences on duck production, the 
data gathered did not offer much in the way of concrete prognosis. The data 
indicated a normal breeding season with no more than a normal potential later 
brood anticipated. 
Summary 
Although transects were changed slightly this year the data gathered was 
comparable with 1954. Climatic conditions causing a population movement may 
have been the factor involved in decrease in duck populations and production. 
Canada goose production was up. The fact that the tundra area was not covered, 
may alter the goose picture to a slight ‘degree. The production picture this year 
for the Eastern Canadian Provinces did not show a radical change. Considering 
the weaknesses still remaining in our survey methods the waterfowl status can be 
considered unchanged from last year. 
