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This year 3.0 water areas per square mile were tallied compared with 
5.2 in 1954, 4,6 in 1953, 3.1 in 1952, and 3.5 in 1951. Drought conditions pre- 
vailed over most of the State during much of May and including the time of the 
surveys. 
A total of 284 water areas was occupied by ducks this year along the 
transect routes. This is a considerably lower rate of occupancy than has previously 
been found along the routes. 
A general decline is noted in the number of coots observed. 
Table LII shows species data of the auto transects. An additional 
column is supplied to show 1954 data when adjustments are made in number of 
blue-winged teal in Areas X and XI, The 1954 report explains how abnormal 
weather conditions resulted in a high count for these areas. 
Blue -winged teal decreased to about the 1952 level. The number of 
mallards was the lowest since 1952. Ringnecks were slightly more numerous than 
last year but were scarcer than in 1952 and 1953. Pintails and redheads were less 
numerous than in the previous four years. 
Success of the Season 
Brood counts were made in 10 game management areas this year. 
Three counts were made in order to secure data for construction of a hatching 
curve for the year. Periods of counts were as follows: First count, June 27 to 
July 1; second count, July 25 to 29; third count, August 25 to 31. 
Weather and water conditions through mid-May have been discussed 
earlier in this report. Biologist Robert E. Farmes reported that cold rainy 
weather the last week in May and first week in June probably interfered with the 
hatch of blue-wings and ringnecks in Area IV. Heavy rains occurred in July in 
Areas V and IX, 
In general weather conditions were quite favorable for nesting this 
year. As has been discussed previously in this report, water levels were low 
this spring and there were fewer water areas due to drainage and arid conditions. 
Twenty percent of the existing areas were occupied by breeding pairs. Weather 
conditions, however, were generally ideal for the existing breeding ducks to 
successfully incubate and rear their broods, General rains in June delayed hay 
mowing at a time when broods were coming off and this no doubt saved many nests. 
