We explained in our 1953 report that the roadside count showed an increase 
in that year over 1952 which actually did not occur. The roadside count was high 
in 1953 due to the later nesting season which caused a telescoping of the brooding 
season. In 1954, the breeding season was also telescoped and this year the reduction 
of 64 percent from 1953 compares almost exactly to the 61 percent decrease found on 
beat-outs. 
Roadside transects by automobile are subject to the same errors as aerial 
brood counts. WUhanges in amount of emergent vegetation, water levels and in 
shoreline vegetation all affect accuracy between years. For some Species such as 
most diving ducks and for the baldpate, the method is good. For mallards, and 
pintails, it is especially bad. A series of compensatory factors cen be worked out 
to apply to each species but this in itself would require several years of intensive 
study in order to encounter all the various fluctuations in visibility due to environ~ 
mental changes. 
Banding Returns from 1953 Banding on Redvers 
Study Area 
Following is a brief summary of band returns received during the first year 
after banding. All ducks were shot between September 15, 1954 and January 4, 1954. 
Table X.- Number and Location of Returns. 
5 

Number Returns Per Pacific Central Miss. Atlantic 
Species Banded 100 Banded Canada Flyway Flyway Flyway Flyway: 
Mallard 196 16.3 ll 0 12 9 0 
B-w. teal 51 3.9 1 0 0 l 0 
Baldpate 31 12.9 l 0 2 0 l 
Pintail 13 30.7 0 l 2 l 0 
Shoveler ll 9.1 0 0 0 0 l 
Canvasback 7 14.1 l 0 0 0 0 
Redhead 3 33.3 1 0 0 0 0 
Total 312 14.4 © 45 1 16 11 2 
Percent - - 33.3 Bae 35,6 24.4 4.4 
‘Significant facts from the above data are, (1) large number of returns (13), 
from the immediate vicinity of the banding area; and (2) wide distribution of returns 
which range from Saskatchewan to California and Texas, and from Ontario to 
Virginia and Florida. 
Only 79 ducks were banded in 1954 due to extremely adverse banding con- 
ditions. Banded were: 38 mallards, 14 pintails, 10 blue-wings and 8 other ducks. 
