116 
7. Considering the entire area surveyed as a unit, a decrease of total duck 
breeding densities of approximately 32 percent is indicated, 
8. It seems reasonable to believe that the retarded spring was at least in 
part responsible for the decrease from 1953 in the waterfowl breeding population for 
this area. However, if this is true a corresponding increase in breeding ducks 
should have been recorded elsewhere, and, therefore, these data must be considered 
along with those collected in the prairie provinces and States to the south, if a 
complete picture is to be obtained. 
9. Brood data are available for previous years only in Stratum D Manitoba. 
Comparing these data, 71 percent less brood was observed this year than in 1953. 
10. In view of the spring survey data, the retarded nesting season and the 
frequent and excessive rains during’ the month of June, there appears to be no reason 
to expect a bumper crop of ducks from the north country this year. 
Table II. - Total Duck Index Stratum C - Ontario, 1953-1954, 
Species Percent 
Composition Lone Drakes Index Index Percent 
Species 1954 1954 1953 1954 Change 
Mallard 2.2 22.8 137, 544 53,245 - 61,3 
Black duck 18.0 35.7 7,935 78,559 +890. 0 
Gadwall ~ = - - 
Baldpate Lid 0 - 5,237 
Pintail z3 20.0 - 3,928 
G-w. teal 7 75.0 - 3,055 
B-w. teal - ~ - - 
Shoveler - ~ - - 
Merganser 28.2 23.1 409,987 123,075 - 69.9 
Redhead - - - = 
Ring -neck 4,3 10.2 79, 352 18, 766 - 76.3 
Canvasback - - - - 
L. scaup 10.2 5.1 39, 676 44,517 4 12,2 
Golden-eye 8.9 26.5 10, 580 38, 843 +267.0 
Ruddy duck - - - - 
Bufflehead rm! 100.0 5,290 436 - 91.7 
Scoter 4 0 - 1, 745 
Unidentified 14.9 21,161 65,029 4207.3 
Total 22.9 711,525 436,435 - 38.7 
