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Trend data of the wood duck, mallard, and blue-winged teal nesting 
efforts are presented in Tables Il and III. it will be noted that all of the trends 
show a downward change, with the exception of the average number of Class I 
ducklings per brood. Mallard and blue-winged teal observations on streams this 
year were down 75 percent from 1954; this may have been caused by the early 
and rapid spring migration of these species. 
Summary 
An annual waterfowl nesting survey has been conducted by conserva- 
tion agents, game biologists, and area managers in Missouri since 1951. 
Main nesting species are the wood duck, mallard, and blue-winged 
teal. 
In 1955, 7,110 acres of lakes and marshes were censused, and 
surveys were made on 666 miles of stream. 
Comparable trend data covering the past three years show a continual 
decline in nesting attempts and numbers of broods of waterfowl in Missouri, 
- Compared to 1954, nesting efforts by wood ducks are down 18 percent on lakes 
and marshes, and down 41 percent on streams. Mallard and blue-winged teal 
production was down 7 percent on lakes and marshes, and 75 percent on streams. 
Note: The areas and streams censused in 1955 were essentially 
the same as those shown on the map which accompanied the report on 
Missouri Waterfowl Population and Breeding Conditions, Summer 1954, 
Special Scientific Report 27. 
