Since it appeared that the severe rains in early June might have had an 
adverse effect on nesting, a small aerial sample of the population was taken on 
June 8; this sample was taken in district 8 pothole country. Results are shown in 
Table VII. The theory is that the lone drakes seen had hens still nesting. Ratios 
are expressed as the percent of males in the total population seen (drakes plus 
pairs X 2). 
Table VII. - Sex Ratios in May and Early June, 1954. 
Mallard _ Pintail B-w. teal 
No. Ducks % Males No. Ducks % Males No. Ducks J Males 
% Males in May 2,003 66% 524 67% 968 13% 
% Males June 9 247 69% 55 60% 56 54% 
These data tend to indicate that the storms of early June had not reduced 
nesting activities to a marked degree. However, later surveys in July pointed out 
that the majority of the nesting activity found in May was unsuccessful and very few 
broods were hatched by July 10. It may be that a normalsex ratio in early June — 
should show a much higher preponderance of males. On the other hand, it is 
possible that the bulk of the nest loss occurred after June 8. 
Production 
Table VIII shows both the brood and the potential later brood indices for 
Strata A and B, including both ducks and coots, for the 1954 survey. 
TableVIfi. - Brood and Potential Later Brood Indices for Southern Manitoba, 1954. 
Stratum A Stratum B Strata A and B 
July 14-18 July 8-Aug.2 July 21-28 July 14-28 
Potential Later 
Broods 37, 858 11, 839 17, 462 55,320 
Broods 13, 026 31,023 14,612 27, 638 
Adult Coots 5,104 2,242 1,069 6,173 
Coot Broods 2,818 3,497 3,208 6, 026 
