Analysis of Changes in Census Method 
For the sake of comparison with former years, Massachusetts census 
routes were run by the former method of counting occupied singing grounds 
and also the new method of counting birds per stop at 0.) mile intervals 
or more. Since parts of the census routes are visited every evening all 
spring, the Massachusetts census figures by the former method logically 
are more accurate than would be possible if only three runs were made, 
as is the case in most census areas. Reducing the singing ground count 
to a bird per stop basis at 101 stops by the old method, 101 birds were 
counted, giving a calculation of 1 bird per stop. Over these same 
routes, by the new method, 55 birds were counted at 5) stops or 1.02 
birds per stop. The difference of .02 birds per stop (2 percent) would 
appear to be negligible. To take full advantage of the new system, it 
would be possible to cover considerably more woodcock habitat in the 
same length of time required to run current routes by the old systen. 
To further test the new census method, an experimental run was set up 
on Prescott Peninsula as in former years. The new procedure was strictly 
adhered to throughout the spring. Twelve stops were made, The route was 
run in reverse order every other run. Of 20 runs made, 11 were not used 
because of adverse weather conditions or periods of the full moon, 
Based, therefore, on 9 runs, the count varied from a low of 7 on April 
15 to a high of 12 on May 9. 
For the third year in succession, a high count occurred soon after 
the end of the first week in May. Estimated hatching dates on 23 
Massachusetts woodcock broods and observations of 18 nests over years 
indicate that, depending somewhat on the early spring weather, the 
majority of nests hatdh between May 1 and May 7. Seventy percent of 
all broods found were hatched by May 15. 
The reasons for the high May census counts are still speculative. 
Nevertheless, there appears to be some correlation between relatively 
low counts in the last two weeks of April when the majority of hens are 
incubating eggs and the high counts later in May y when most of the hens 
are off the nests and accompanied by broods. It is possible the presence 
of broods in the vicinity of singing grounds may stimulate male perfor- 
mances, The writer feels the most likely theory is that hens, when not 
incubating, occasionally "peent." Unit personnel have two records with 
detailed field notes which give apparently indisputable circumstantial 
evidence of a female 'Ipeenting." In both cases, the observer was very 
close to a singing ground. Copulation was observed and, while the male 
was in flight, the female "peented! two or three times, but not regu-e 
larly as is the case with the males. Summer observations recorded below 
suggest woodcock may often give vocal sounds when not in breeding . 
condition, 
Based on this year's experience, four additional refinements are 
suggested for census technique. The first two apply to Massachusetts 
only. 
36 
