Species composition of waterfowl on the study area for 1953 and 1954 is 
given in Table [V. Although the black duck exhibited a composition increase from 
53 percent to 81 percent, this is obviously due to the greater population decreases 
of all other species. 
Table IV. - Species Composition. 
1953 1954 
Species : Percent Percent 
Black duck 53 81 
American Golden-eye 6 : 7 
Ring -necked 5 6 
Wood duck 9 Fa 
Green-winged teal - 1 2 
Blue -winged teal 26 1 
Mallard | 1 1 

Number of ducks per square mile of marsh on the study area since 1945 are 
given in Table V. Because the total population appears to be smaller this year than 
in any year since 1945, it is probable that the majority of hunters who would normally 
bag local ducks at the beginning of the season will be unsuccessful. It is possible 
that migrant ducks will provide good shooting in the estuary of the St. John River, 
but with the flooding of the wild rice and other choice food species, there will be 
little inducement for migrants to utilize this area. 

Table V. - Duck Population Per Square Mile of Marsh. 
Year Ducks per square mile 
1945 111.9 
1946 53.5 
- 1947 69.4 
1948 84.1 
1949 165.2 
1950 157.6 
1951 125.1 
1952 153.3 
1953 92.1 
1954 33.9 
147 
