146 
Especially severe is the decreased numbers of blue-winged teal and wood 
duck broods. It is possible that the abnormally high water level has enabled broods 
to stay in cover in which they could not be found-~-notably the flooded dense maple 
peripheries of the water areas, Unusual numbers of broodless blue-winged teal 
and wood duck females, however, were tabulated. The only blue-winged brood 
observed throughout the period of study was a Class la brood on the late date of 
August 15. 
It is believed that the retarded phenology combined with the recurrent flood- 
ing has resulted in an extremely poor brood season. 
Census of Total Population 
Total population counts are normally made on the study area on 14 scheduled 
trips during the period of July 15 to August 15. Due to inclement weather, the final 
census run in 1954 was not made until August 20. The late season, however, enables 
a comparison to be made with previous years. 
Total population changes and percentage decreases from 1953 are tabulated 
in Table III. The over-all reduction in the total number of ducks from 1953 of 64 
percent speaks for itself, especially when it is noted that the 1953 exhibited an over- 
all decrease of 40 percent from 1952. As with the broods, it is possible that the 
high water conditions enabled flying birds to take refuge in dense cover in which they 
could not be found and to scatter over areas which are normally dry, resulting in 
only a paper or theoretical decrease. 
Table III. - Population Changes from 1953. 

Total Population Percent Decrease 
Species 1953 1954 from 1953 
Black duck 738 400 ~46 
Blue-winged teal 363 5 -99., 
Wood duck 122 14 -89 
Ring -necked 65 28 -57 
Green-winged teal 20 8 -60 
Am. Golden-eye 79 35 -56 
Mallard 2 4 - 
Pintail 2 “ - 
Red-breasted merganser - 6 - 
Unidentified - 13 - 
Total 1391 513 -64 
