200 
The total duck index for the sandhills, uncorrected for nesting hens, 
is 92,204. As the 1954 surveys were made at differenttimes uSing a different 
method, no directly comparable index is available. Table II presents a 
comparison of observed ducks per square mile adjusted for the difference in 
survey methods. 
In the central and western areas, the corrected breeding duck indices 
for mallards and blue-wings are comparable with the 1954 indices. Canvasbacks, 
redheads, and ruddys show losses in excess of 50 percent. Pintails and gadwalls 
show gains in excess of 50 percent of the 1954 indices. 
The loss of breeding ducks in the eastern area is reflected equally by 
all species. 
Success of the Season 
Table IV presents the available data on production trends. As no 
breeding pair counts were made during mid-June, 1955, the brood per pair 
figures are not available. However, observations indicate good nesting success 
for most species. 
The first mallard and pintail broods were observed nearly two weeks 
earlier than the average date for the prior four years. The hatching peak for 
other species, however, appeared to be near normal with no significant evidence 
of re-nesting noted. 
Table [V. - Mid-July Sandhill Brood Counts. 
Western Eastern Over-all 
Routes Routes Routes 
Broods Observed 53 6 59 
Total Ducklings 354 43 397 
Ducklings Per Brood a - 6.7 
Square Mile Sampled 33.8 8.3 42.1 
Broods Per Square Mile 
1955 1.6 0.7 1,4 
1954 1.5 0.9 1.4 
Change, 1954 to 1955 + 7% - 22 % None 
Average Broods Per Sq. Mi. 
1948 - 1954 2.1 2.9 2,2 
Change, Average to 1955 - 29 % - 69 % - 37.% 

