126 
WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN QUEBEC AND LABRADOR 
Fred A. Glover, W. F. Crissey 
and 
A. P. Noltemeier 
Introduction 
The third aerial waterfowl breeding ground survey in the Provinces of Quebec 
and Labrador consisted of coverage comparable to that of 1953 (See Map). Techniques 
used in the surveys were the same as in previous years. In addition to the usual 
breeding pair survey in May and early June and the production survey in July, a 
reconnaissance was made in late August and early September to locate waterfowl con- 
centration areas in Eastern Canada for the purpose of establishing future banding 
Stations. 
Personnel for the three Quebec and Labrador surveys consisted of Fred A. 
Glover, accompanied by W. F. Crissey on the breeding pair survey, A. P. Noltemeier 
on the brood survey, and C. E. Addy on the banding reconnaissance flight, all of the 
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Coverage for the respective Canadian flights was: 
breeding pair survey, 6,126 lineal transect miles; brood survey, 5,789 lineal transect 
miles; and banding reconnaissance, 7,200 miles. 
Weather and Water Conditions 
Weather and water conditions during the production period presented an 
irregular and highly contrasting picture in Quebec and Labrador with some areas 
experiencing near drought conditions while other areas were being deluged with rain. 
During May the southern half of Canada experienced precipitation four times above the 
normal for the last four years. The mean temperature for the same area was five 
degrees below normal. June was normal in rainfall and temperature, but July had 
twice the normal number of days with rain and the temperature was about three degrees 
below normal, Northern Canada in June had above normal rainfall and below normal 
temperatures. May and July were about normal. Along the east shore of Hudson Bay 
from Great Whale River north there was a noticeable lack of rainfall. 
Breeding Pair Survey 
Compared with last year, progress on the waterfowl breeding pair survey was 
delayed approximately one week due to weather and aircraft mechanical difficulties. 
The dates of the survey were May 3 to June 15. However, comparison of the phenology 
of the two years at the completion of the various transects was similar. Tables I and 
Il present a comparison of the 1953-1954 data for comparable areas. 
In general the 1954 survey data indicated an increase in the total breeding pairs 
as compared with the 1953 information. Species noticeably up were black duck and 
golden-eye. Insignificant changes in breeding population was indicated by the ring-necked 
