In Stratum C Saskatchewan a 20 percent decrease in total duck numbers from 
1953 was indicated. Again, mallard and scaup showed an important decrease. The 
only species which increased were the redhead and ring-necked duck. 
For Stratum E Saskatchewan a slight increase, probably not significant, was 
recorded. Mallard, however, decreased 20 percent. The ring-necked duck showed 
a small increase. 
Combining all the strata together and considering the area surveyed as a 
whole (472,119 square miles) it appears that the total duck population decreased 
approximately 32 percent. 
Brood Survey 
Identification of duck broods in a multi-specie area from an aircraft traveling 
130 miles per hour is not practicable and very seldom possible. Counting of the 
number per brood from the air was also found to be impracticable. Therefore, it 
was not possible to organize the brood data by species and number per brood. Table 
VIII is based on data recorded. 
Brood data for previous years are not available for comparison except in 
Stratum D Manitoba, which is the Saskatchewan River delta. In this area the number 
of broods computed for the stratum dropped from 3302 in 1953 to 950 in 1954 fora 
decrease of approximately 71 percent. 
Summary and Conclusion 
1. The spring of 1954 was extremely retarded over the entire Canadian 
waterfowl breeding range. Ice conditions were severe, most lakes opening at least 
two weeks later than average. Some people have stated that it was the latest spring 
since 1922. 
2. A decrease in total breeding ducks ranging from 20 to 40 percent was 
obtained for Stratum C in all three Provinces. 
3. Stratum D, which extends into both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, showed a 
decrease in total duck numbers of 26 percent. 
4. A small increase (4 percent) was obtained for total breeding ducks in 
Stratum E Saskatchewan. 
5, The mallard decreased in all strata and provinces surveyed. The decrease 
ranged from 20 percent in Stratum E Saskatchewan to 67 percent in Stratum C 
Manitoba. 
6. Scaup showed a decrease (4 - 58 percent) in every stratum except 
Stratum C Ontario where a 12 percent increase was recorded. 
