Ground transects in southwestern Manitoba by Game Branch 
personnel indicated a reduction in breeding population (1,661 birds on 
transect in 1953; and 936 present in 1954). Intensive ground studies 
in District 8 and near Roseneath both indicated that the 1954 breeding 
population was about equal to 1953. 
Progduction Indices - 
Table III shows the brood index for 1954 as compared to previous 
years. As was pointed out by A. S. Hawkins in last year's July report, 
there is considerable difficulty in comparing brood indices for late 
years, when only a small percentage of the hatch has materialized, 
with early years, when most of the broods have hatched at the time of. 
the survey. Thus the 1953 and 1954 data on broods alone may only 
indicate the lateness of those seasons. However, potential later broods 
are a great aid, even now in determining prospects. 
Table III - Aerial Brood Index - Stratum "A", Manitoba - 1950-1954 
Index to Pot. Coot Brood Index to Pot. Later 
Year Brood Index Later Broods Index Coot Broods | 
1950 19, 708 No data no data no data 
1951 33,178 No data no data no data 
1952 32,141 No data no data no data 
1953 7, 976% 23,022 584 0 
1954 13, 026 37, 858 2,818 5, 104 
* Made comparable to 1954 data by counting lone hens in the 
"potential later brood" column, rather than in the "brood" column. The 
published 1953 index was 8,502 broods. In 1954 broods were tallied only 
if young were seen. 
The maturity of those broods so far hatched as shown in Table 1V 
indicates that we are still at the beginning of the brood season. In 1953, 
the survey apparently came at a phenologically later date. 
Table IV - Age Class Distribution of Broods - Stratum "'A'', Manitoba 
Year No. Broods Aged Class | Class [I Class III 
1953 150 22.0% 43.3 % 34.7 % 
1954 200 61.5% 33.5 % 5.0 % 
The aerial data indicate that more birds will be produced in 1954 
than were produced in 1953. On the other hand, intensive ground studies 
58 
