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change from last year was recorded in the northern and central portions of the 
State. By contrast, the ring-necked duck showed a substantial increase which 
was very gratifying after its decrease of the past two years. 
Both the blue-winged and the green-winged teal likewise appeared to 
be increased. Little change was noted for the goldeneye. However, these latter 
three species do not occur in sufficient numbers on the study areas to permit 
accurate measurement. 
Only the wood duck showed an unsatisfactory trend. A decline of 26 
percent was recorded this year; this followed an 18 percent decrease a year ago 
and a 31 percent loss in 1953. Even though Unit study areas do not include the 
important wood duck habitat in the southern and southwestern counties, this 
diminishing trend may be viewed with some concern. 
Complete census data by study areas are presented in Table 1. In 
summary, the status of the initial population of the six species of breeding game 
ducks is as follows: 
Species Status in 1955 
(Measured on Census Areas) 
Ring-necked Duck 14% Increase 
Black Duck 5% Decrease 
Wood Duck 26% Decrease 
(Estimated) 
Blue-winged Teal Moderate Increase 
Green-winged Teal Slight Increase 
American Goldeneye No Change 
General Breeding Conditions 
From the standpoint of water levels, phenology, and climatic conditions, 
an excellent breeding season occurred. This is a distinct contrast to the retarded 
spring and the greatly fluctuating water levels of a year ago. 
The entire 1955 migration and nesting season, phenologically, was 
about two weeks ahead of last year. The break-up of ice was at near average 
dates as was the start of nesting for most species--an exception was noted in the 
ring -necked duck which nested earlier than usual. Hatching peaks, as calculated 
from both nest and brood data, were advanced over last year as well as over the 
long-term average. The black duck hatching peak was approximately June 2, 10 
days ahead of 1954 and a week earlier than the 17-year average. The hatching 
peak for the wood duck was calculated as June 12 which is eight days earlier than 
last year. The ring-neck peak occurred about June 24, eight days ahead of 1954 
