Climatic Conditions 
Spring started early in southern Quebec in 1954 but was later delayed. Con- 
ditions were about normal at the time the surveys were made. 
The brood survey was conducted along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River 
between Riviere-du-Loup and Matane, by automobile, from July 6 to July 9. 
Brood Survey 
Table I. - Breeding Population, Riviere-du-Loupto Matane, 1952, 1953, and 1954. 

Species 1952 1953 1954 
Common eider 1,713 2,147 1,676 
American brant 2,051 1, 542 592 
Canada goose 142 585 = 
Surf scoter 171 489 3 
Golden-eye 160 153 72 
Black duck 17 58 214 
Red-breasted merganser = 49 - 
Old squaw 54 47 2 
American scoter - 37 128 
White -winged scoter - 1l - 
American merganser - 2 - 
Scaup 1 3 - 
Green-winged teal 5 - - 
Unidentified - 7 - 
Total 4,314 5,130 2,687 
A smaller total number of birds was observed in 1954, but it is likely that the 
difference in the dates at which time the survey was conducted accounts for this. 
135 
