86 
Although these are relatively limited data on which to base conclusions 
they do indicate a decrease in production. The percent decrease given may not 
indicate the true production (for New Brunswick in particular) when considering 
the following points. The season was a little later this year and the areas for 
which comparative data are available are mostly those on which the heaviest 
concentrations of ring-necked ducks occur. In addition to the later season this 
year the surveys of these areas in New Brunswick were run about one week earlier 
than last year in anticipation of rechecking the areas ata later date for later 
broods. Unfortunately, it was not possible to carry out these later surveys. 
Another factor undoubtedly affecting the data is that the aerial crew was not 
accustomed to counting waterfowl broods from a plane and much of the territory 
flown was unfamiliar. 
Although extensive ground surveys were not attempted, information on 
duck broods was obtained wherever and whenever possible. During the season, 
data on 44 broods were collected at various points in the 3 Maritime Provinces. 
Complete counts were obtained on 30 of these, giving an average of 7.5 ducklings 
per brood. These ground counts substantiated the aerial count which showed a 
similar average brood size (7.6 for all species) and that the number per brood was 
maintained to flying stage. Last year the ground survey produced an average of 
6.9 and the aerial 6.5. Apparently the higher brood success would partially offset 
the decrease in the number of broods recorded this year. 
Table V gives a breakdown of the data obtained from limited aerial 
transects in Ontario and Quebec early in July. There are no comparable data 
from last year. The principal value of the data at this time is to acquaint the 
reader with the scattered nature of the population and the species encountered. 
