
228 
Of 295 water sites censused twice during this survey, 69 percent showed 
no change in water levels or more water in late June, as compared to the last 20 
days of May (Table 1). Compared to similar material from previous years, a con- 
siderable drop in water levels occurred during June of 1955, Accompanying the 
drop in water levels, luxuriant growths of aquatic vegetation choked some of the 
census areas making it more difficult than usual to census broods. This condition 
is considered in drawing conclusions on waterfowl production for Wisconsin in 1955. 
Table I. - 1955 Wisconsin Waterfowl Breeding Surveys and Water Conditions on 
the Second Coverage. 
Number of Water Areas Showing 
No. More Less — Percent Showing More 
Game Area Change Water Water Completely Dry Water or No Change 
I - NW 23 lz 31 0 53 
II - NE 46 6 2 0 96 
Ill - We 18 0 19 0 49 
IV - EC 46 12 17 3 75 
V - 5 37 Z 17 4 65 
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Total 170 32 86 7 68 

Breeding Population Trends 
The principle breeding ducks in Wisconsin are the blue-winged teal, 
mallard, black ducks, wood ducks, and ring-necked ducks. As can be seen in 
Table ll, the trend in the Wisconsin duck breeding population was slightly upward 
as compared to the average for the period 1951 through 1954, However, as com- 
pared to 1954 all of the main species except the ring-necked duck declined in 
numbers, with the largest reductions being indicated in the black duck and wood 
duck. The coot or mud hen experienced an increase in total numbers on the study 
areas over the four-year average but declined slightly from the number present 
in 1954, Table Ill summarizes the breeding pair and production trends for the 
period 1951 through 1955. 
