67 
Precipitation from April 1 was officially recorded as follows: 
To June 8 To July 3 To August 4 To Sept. 4 
Total % Change Total % Change Total % Change Total % Change 
from from from from 
Normal Normal Normal Normal 
Kindersley 2. 82 + 7% 4.89 +11% 7.20 + 7% 10.56 +24% 
Rosetown 50 mi.'‘E. 3.59 +12% 7,64 +40% 11.01 +42% 17.08  +80% 
Empress, 51 mi. 
S.W. Alta. 2.55 -17% 4.57 -~14% 6.66 - 7% 9.74 + 4% 
Breeding Population 
According to transect data collected May 11-13 and on June 4, there were 
25.8 pairs of ducks per square mile this year compared to 50.1 in 1953. However, 
the 1954 data are not considered reliable, because: 1. There was a cluster problem 
in that in May 88 percent of the 474 indicated pairs were located on 10 percent of the 
195 water areas. Linear transects {one-quarter mile wide) are inadequate under 
such conditions. 2. Approximately 75 percent of the 474 pairs were recorded on 
seven large sloughs, partly in and partly out of the transect. This means that 75 
percent of the sample population were noted on the near side of-an imaginary transect 
line drawn 220 yards from the road. Any number of factors might shift birds back 
and forth across this line and it is impossible to determine how many belong within 
the sample to give a true picture. 
The combined May-June figures for indicated pairs by species for 1954 
and 1953 are as follows: 
Pintail Mallard Shoveler B-w. teal Baldpate Gadwall Scaup Others Total 
May-June, 1954 134 197 56 57 40 23 26 16 549 
May-June, 1953 421 299 93 69 54 29 30 32 1027 
Production 
No brood surveys were made because of the clustering problem that existed. 
Total counts would appear to be the only effective method of determining production 
but these were not*practical from the ground because of the large area involved and 
the large size of brood sloughs, both those which were bare of emergent vegetation, 
and those completely choked by it. There was no opportunity to try an aerial beatout 
of the district. 
