WILSON'S SNIPE WINTERING GROUND STUDIES, 1952-53 
Chandler S. Robbins 
U. 5. Fish and Wildlife Service 
These investigations included: (1) Organizing mid-winter snipe 
counts for the second year in the southern states for the purpose of 
obtaining an index of abundance; (2) Participating in and summarizing 
the results of these counts; (3) trapping and banding snipe in Louisiana, 
Alabama and Florida; and (4) Summarizing snipe abundance as recorded on 
the annual Christmas Bird Counts-in Audubon Field Notes. 
Wilson's Snipe Abundance Index.--Through the cooperation of State 
game departments, professional and amateur ornithologists and Fish and 
Wildlife Service personnel, 160 areas in the southern states were cover- 
ed during the period January 28 to February 1, 1953, for the purpose of 
obtaining an index to the wintering population in that area. One hundred 
and eleven areas were worked in both 1952 and 1953. Forty-nine new areas 
were visited in 1953, and 60 of the 1952 areas were abandoned. 
A summary of all reports received is presented in table 17, computa- 
tions being based on the total number of hours afield (including observa- 
tions from car and boat as well as birds seen when on foot). The left 
half of the table gives figures for all areas which were covered in both 
1952 and 1953; the right half treats only those areas which were worked 
in but one of the two years. 
In most localities a proportionately large amount of time is spent 
in traveling from one snipe concentration area to another. For this 
reason, observers were asked to indicate the exact amount of time spent 
on foot, as well as the amount spent driving or by boat. Ninety-seven 
of the 111 reports which covered both years were submitted with sufficient 
detail on coverage so that the time spent on foot and the number of birds 
recorded during this time could be separated from the remainder of the 
observations. These figures, which are listed in the left half of table 
18, give the best available indication of changes in abundance between 
the winters of 1951-52 and 1952-53. : 
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