265 
These regions have been covered by transect lines laid out in the following 
manner: 
1. Northern Hardwood Region 
Transect interval 3-1/2 miles, bearing true E & W, strip 
width 1/8-mile, length 192 miles in 24 8-mile sections, i.e. 
24 square miles. 
2. Oak Chestnut Region 
Transect interval, bearing and strip width as above. 
Length 1,032 miles in 129 8-mile sections, i.e. 129 Square miles. 
3. Tidal Marsh Region 
Transect intervals and bearing various, strip width 1/4-mile, 
length 64 miles in 16 4-mile sections, i.e. 16 square miles. 
Coverage of the transects is made in both June and July to correspond to the 
ground survey. 
Breeding Population Trends 
Although data has been collected during both June and July the greater 
number of waterfowl have consistently been tabuJated in July. It is from these 
July counts that yearly comparisons to date have been based. Five year records 
on duck populations are available for 35 of the 40 areas. These are summarized 
in the following table. 
On a total duck seen basis, the five-year survey of the 35 comparable areas 
indicates a duck population high in 1952 and a low for the same during 1950. Wood 
duck lead in numbers until 1952 when for the first time the black ducks exceeded 
the wood ducks, Mallards have been recorded from time to time, but have made 
their strongest showing in 1952, 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Average temperatures in 1952 during March, April, May and June were 
generally above normal. Variations ranged from a minus nine-tenths of a degree 
in May to plus 4.4 degrees in June. The average for the spring period was 2. 25° 
above normal. 
Precipitation in April, May and June was well scattered and averaged 1.8 
inches above normal. Ponds, lakes, and streams were thus provided with greater 
amounts of water and produced more areas suitable for waterfowl. 
High temperatures and abundant water were apparently favorable to waterfowl 
in general and contributed to early and diversified nesting. 
