Brood Survey 
The survey of the west end of Lake St. Peter did not yield significant 
results. However, the Montmagny-to-Matane region supports large numbers of 
nesting eiders. (See Table III.) 
The brood survey was made 10 days later this year than in 1951 and 
better results were obtained. We saw more broods and less male eiders. Broods 
of eiders mix together, probably for protection, and quite often we found as many 
as 40 young birds together with 4, 5 or more adults. At other times we noted 
broods containing more old birds than young, which may indicate that yearlings 
stay with the adult females and broods. Since we cover an extensive length of 
shoreline from Montmagny to Matane, it may be assumed that the number of 
yearling birds seen each year with the broods is constant. The ratio "young per 
adult"! may then be said to be more reliable than the ratio "young per brood" since 
the former will remain the same if 2 broods join together while the latter would be 
affected. 
It appears from the results that the nesting success for eiders has been 
slightly better in the St. Lawrence this year than last year. 
Table I - Results of Breeding Population Survey - 1952 


Carillon Island and Bay Lochaber Bay 
Species Pr. Ind. Total Pr. Ind. Total 
Mallard | - 2 2 1 1 3 
Black duck - - - - 10 10 
Pintail 7 a 2 1 © 2 
Baldpate - - - e 1 l 
Blue-winged teal - 1 1 = = s 
Ring-necked duck - - 2 16 20 
Lesser scaup 1 - 2 “ ~ = 
Common goldeneye - 2 2 - - - 
Bufflehead - Moe oF - - i 1 
Table I -(Continued) 
Lake St. Peter South River 
Pr. Ind. Total Pr. Ind. Total 
Mallard 6 1 13 - - a 
Black duck 13 235 261 3 8 14 
Pintail 4 6 14 - - - 
Green-winged teal 5 - 10 - - ~ 
Blue -winged teal 13 6 32 - - - 
Shoveler 2 2 4 - 4 ss 
Wood duck - - - 3 - 6 
Ring-necked duck - - - 3 - 6 
Lesser scaup 22 127 171 - - - 
Common goldeneye 16 5 37. 1 - 2 
Bufflehead a 1 1 Ls a s 
rp gp i isi iP Sc SS lr PTE SS PP PS 
