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Summary 
1. The waterfowl breeding ground survey inaugurated at Collier Mills in 
1951 was continued during 1952, 1953 and 1954, using bi-weekly land observations 
on 18 lakes and ponds as an index to the breeding populations. 
2. The spring was slightly colder than in 1953 and water levels in the lakes 
remained about the same during 1953 and 1954. A total of eight broods were observed 
in 1954 and all broods except one were located in ponds and lakes which were 
partially drawn down to encourage the growth of waterfowl foods. 
3. Table I shows a comparison of the brood studies from 1951 until 1954. 
The black duck showed an increase from two broods in 1951 to five broods in 1954, 
The wood duck declined from six broods observed in 1951 to two broods in 1953 and 
1954. The mallard duck fluctuated from no broods in 1951 to one brood in 1952 and 
the broods in 1953 and back to one brood in 1954. 
4, The species composition of the broods varied in favor of the Black duck 
during the four years, but a total of eight broods yearly were found during the study. 
It is believed that the partial draw down encouraged the black duck and mallards, to 
a lesser extent, to utilize the area due to the grassy edges and back sections of 
these managed ponds providing nesting and brooding cover which was not available 
before the ponds were placed under experimental management. 
Egg Island Area - Cumberland County 
Nesting Season 
Substantial pre-season breeding populations were reported on the Egg Island 
area. However, severe nest losses occurred in May and early June due to high 
tides and as a result, much renesting took place. Consequently, hatching dates 
extended throughout May, June and July. 
Brood Season 
A ground census covering approximately 480 acres was made on July 9, 1954, 
and 25 broods were tallied. The results of this census are tabulated and compared 
with a similar census made in 1953 in Table II. 
