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WATERFOWL BREEDING GROUND SURVEY IN MAINE - 1954 
Howard L. Mendall 
Introduction 
This report summarizes the results of the 1954 waterfowl breeding ground 
studies in Maine. Such investigations have been conducted annually for 16 
consecutive years by the personnel of the Maine Cooperative Wildlife Research 
Unit under the supervision of the writer. This year he was assisted throughout the 
duration of the studies by Malcolm Coulter, Richard Marquardt and Robert Weeden 
of the Unit staff. In addition, occasional field assistance or special data were 
furnished by Howard Spencer, Jr., waterfowl project leader of the State Department 
of Inland Fisheries and Game, by State warden Caron and by State regional 
biologists Aiken, Blanchard, Carson and Holmes; also by John Dudley of Calais, 
and Eldon Clark of the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Appreciation is here- 
with expressed for this cooperation. 
Coverage and techniques were essentially the same as in previous years. 
During the past two years a few minor changes have been made in the census areas 
to permit better coverage within the alloted time. When old areas are abandoned 
or new ones added, figures from earlier years are adjusted accordingly. Thus the 
1954 data are comparable. 
A count of pairs and territorial males was made on the regular study areas 
prior to and during the early part of the breeding season. A nesting study was 
made to determine nesting success. Commencing with the hatching period brood 
checks were conducted. 
Breeding Populations 
All species of breeding game ducks in Maine appeared to be somewhat 
decreased in 1954. In the case of the important black duck this was of little 
significance since it amounted to only four percent; moreover, last year's black 
duck population was very satisfactory. With the ring-necked duck and the wood 
duck, however, this year's loss came after decreases of last year as well. The 
wood duck dropped 31 percent a year ago and 18 percent this year. The two teal 
and the American golden-eye appeared to be less numerous than in 1953 although 
their numbers are not sufficiently high on the census areas to permit accurate 
measurements. 
