Breeding Ground Surveys 
QUEBEC A N D LABRADOR 
Weather and Water Conditions: 
During May, the southern half of Quebec and Labrador 
experienced precipitation four times above the average for the past 
four years with the mean temperature five degrees below normal. 
June had average rainfall and temperatures, but so far July has had 
twice the normal number of days with rain, and eee eeu eee have 
been about three degrees below average. . | | : 
There are no definite data available yet on weather in the 
northern part of the area, but June is reported to have had above 
normal rainfall and below normal temperatures. May and July appear 
to have been about average. 
Heavy and frequent rainfall over broad areas coupled with below 
normal temperatures during the nesting and brooding period can have 
a rather serious effect on production. This is particularly true in 
the north where production may be dependant on the success or failure 
of a single effort. 
Breeding Population Indices: 
Aerial breeding population surveys were conducted during May 
and early June. The data are presented in Table I, 
It is apparent that the breeding population of ducks increased 
an appreciable amount this year. Among the various species, black 
duck, goldeneye, and ringneck increased the most, while decreases 
were recorded for scaup, merganser, and scoter. 
The breeding population of Canada geese decreased approximately 
30 percent. 
Production Indices: 
An aerial production survey was conducted during mid-July. 
The results are presented in Table II. 
Among ducks, a marked reduction in number of broods and number 
of young was recorded (lk and 50% respectively). Although difficult 
to demonstrate, it seems likely that some aspect of the weather 
which was experienced during late May and June affected nesting 
Success adversly. Included in Table II are index figures concerning 
possible later broods as evidenced by singles and pairs observed on 
July Transects. Actually, there is little information to show that 
in the north country a bird unsuccessful through mid-July has much 
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