224 
WATERFOWL NESTING SURVEY IN MISSOURI 
Lee R. Crail 
In 1951 a Federal Aid project on wood ducks was established, the primary 
objective being to learn the roll of Missouri in the production of this species of 
waterfowl. In that there are a few mallards, blue-winged teal and Canada geese 
nesting in various parts of the State, an attempt has been made to include these 
in the study. Last year (1951), all conservation agents were asked to record all 
evidence of waterfowl nesting throughout the summer. Those agents who found 
indications of waterfowl nesting in their districts were asked to select a census 
route and these routes were surveyed this year between May 18 and 27. Thus, 
from now on the same areas will be sampled at approximately the same time by 
essentially the same personnel. 
In this survey all the following observations were recorded as nesting 
attempts; lone drake, lone hen, pair and brood. The total nesting effort is the 
sum total of these observations. 
In addition to the surveys run by the conservation agents, eleven Commission 
biologists ran stream surveys, tabulating brood, class and ecological data, The 
data obtained by the biologists was not tabulated in the totals, so that in future years 
the data from the conservation agents will be comparative. It is felt that the 
biologists will not census the same area.each year, but will be used more or less 
as "trouble shooters' in areas where specific information is needed. 
Table I summarizes the data obtained by the 43 conservation agents partic- 
ipating in the survey, while the graph showing hatching peaks is based on observations 
of the 11 biologists and several other qualified observers recording data throughout 
the summer, 
Summary 
Although the 1951 and the 1952 surveys were not conducted by the same 
techniques, much of the data was from areas censused both years by the same 
personnel and it is felt that a comparison can be made. 
There was a definite decline in wood duck production from 1951 to 1952 in 
Missouri. The data on the other species is too meager to warrant discussion, 
