
248 
Banding Studies 
The only summer trapping studies carried out this year which 
have a direct bearing of brood production were done on seven areas in western 
New York, In 1954 an average of 5.7 broods per area was estimated through 
aping based on plumage development of the flightless young which were taken. 
In 1955 these same seven areas showed an estimated 7.5 broods per unit. Since 
the samples were small and water levels were lower than in 1954, the difference 
cannot be considered significant and may logically represent earlier movement 
in 1955 from the neighboring swales and potholes to the larger and more stable 
wildlife marshes. In using the term "broods per unit'' it should be noted that no 
attempt was made to separate the resident broods from those which were passing 
through. 
Production 
The fifth consecutive aerial waterfowl production survey was 
flown during July 5 to 13, 1955. The coverage was much modified this year from 
previous flights, the attempt being made to collect more data by following water- 
courses rather than arbitrary cross-country transect lines, although notes were 
also kept on the overland segments between streams. A total of 936.5 miles was 
flown following waterways, while the overland mileage amounted to 1074.4. The 
flying was again done by the same personnel, John Schempp and Ed. Maunton. 
The methods used were similar to those described in previous reports (1953, 
1954). 
Direct comparisons with figures of earlier years are risky because 
of changes made in both amount and location of coverage each year, but the data 
are listed in Table II for completeness. 
On the basis of these figures it appears that 1955 was a more 
favorable year for waterfowl production in New York than was the average since 
1951. However, we must use these figures with caution due to their known 
variability, and also because of the very dry nesting and rearing period this year. 
Because of water level reductions, the birds may have been more visible this 
year than normally, even though a population reduction might have taken place. 
In the above table only the comparable overland transect segments 
were included. While the stream-course data provided even high densities in 
all strata, they could not be compared to any figures more recent than 1953. In 
this respect, however, 1955 appeared extremely favorable, but again this could 
easily have been the result of the very low water levels. 
Average brood size this year was 7.0 with 46 broods observed, 
the figures for former years are: 1951, 5.2 (90); 1952, 5.5 (33); 1953, 5.7 (94) 
and 1954, 5.7 (48). 
