272 
Ground Census - Ege Island 
A ground transect 1/4-mile wide and 6 miles long, representing a 20 percent 
sample was established at Egg Island as there was little knowledge of the breeding 
populations on that area. In 1951, the transect was traversed on 5 occasions. 
Considering the size of the sample (928 acres), a relative intensive search was 
made for nests and broods. During 1952 the same transect was covered twice, 
however, the search for nests was much less intense. A comparison of the annual 
data gathered is presented below: 
No. of Nests No. of Broods 
Observed Observed 
Species 1951 1952 1951 1952 
Black duck 35 28 28 20 
Gadwall 10 3 8 26 
Blue-winged teal 1 0 1 1 
Clapper Rail 1l 3 - - 
Virginia Rail 5 1 - 1 
Willet 27 31 - - 
Data on the relative values of the various types of tidal marsh vegetation in 
regard to waterfowl nesting cover can provide fundamental information as a basis 
for tidal marsh management in New Jersey. Such information was gathered in 1951 
and 1952 and is presented in Table III. 
Based on all available information, the average brood size of the various 
species observed in southern New Jersey are as follows: 
1951 1952 
Species No. Complete Average No. Complete Average 
Broods Brood Size Broods Brood Size 
Black duck 68 4.2 27 4.7 
Gadwall 9 8.0 37 5.4 
Mallard 3 S.o8 17 4.6 
Wood duck 5 6.0 2 & 5 
Blue-winged teal - - l 4.0 
Table III - The Nesting Cover Utilized by Various Species of Waterfowl on the 
Tidal Marsh Areas of the Tuckahoe and Egg Island Tracts 
Nesting © Black Duck Gadwall Blue -winged teal 
Cover Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent 
Spartina alterniflora 43 68.2 8 61.5 1 100 
Spartina patens 1 1.6 3 23.1 - - 
Mixed Spartina 
alterniflora and 
Spartina patens 15 23.8 2 15.4 - - 
Scirpus Olneyi 2 3.2 - - - z 
Iva frutescens l 1.6 Uae = 5 . 
Plant debris l 1.6 = ~ < e 

