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Some interesting comparisons on nesting dates were tabulated for the 
black duck and the ring-neck as follows: In 1953, 22 percent of all recorded 
black duck hatchings took place prior to May 15 as against only one percent this 
year. Last year 10 percent of the black duck hatch occurred in July but in 1954 
the figure rose to 18 percent. With the ring-necked duck 13 percent of this year's 
hatch came after July 20 whereas a year ago the figure was less than one percent, 
Nesting Success 
During the nesting study a total of 87 nests was located, 79 of which were 
of two species - black duck and ring-necked duck. All but one of these were 
re-checked to determine success or failure. 
In spite of the retarded and prolonged breeding season, nesting success, 
at 63 percent, was slightly higher than a year ago, although this figure is below the 
long-term average. Thus, it is obvious that many of the re-nesting efforts were 
successful. Black ducks showed the highest success with 65 percent. This is 
unusual since both ring-necks and wood ducks ordinarily are more successful at 
nesting than blacks. 
Nest failures were attributed to several causes but over 40 percent of all 
losses this year were the result of mink predation. More losses have been charged 
to mink than at any time in the past 16 years. For the third consecutive year crow 
predation was very light. Flood losses among the nests under observation were 
somewhat lower than expected. However, the figures may not reveal the true 
importance of this factor because several sections of Maine which were hardest hit 
by floods are not included in the areas where the nesting studies were conducted. 
Furthermore, during nest hunting it is purely accidental to discover a nest that 
has already been flooded. More than the usual number of unattached female ducks 
were encountered during late June and early July - birds which did not appear to 
have either nests or broods under their care. This would indicate nest losses under 
conditions where re-nesting did not take place, at least successfully. It is probable 
that the black duck suffered more heavily from floods than any other species, and 
that northern and eastern Maine was affected more adversely than other parts of 
the State. 
The Brood Season 
Brood studies were carried out until the latter part of August. Data were 
obtained on 160 complete broods classified by age. These figures are presented 
in table 2. Averages from Class I and Class II broods are not significantly 
different from those of 1953. However, the overall Class III average (5.5) is 
substantially higher than the 4.9 figure of a year ago. This indicates better rearing 
conditions this year, a situation that is attributed largely to the high water of July 
and August. The excessive precipitation, an adverse factor for nesting, proved 
beneficial for rearing young. Of particular interest in this respect were the 
figures for the black duck. An average loss of only 1.1 ducklings per brood was 
noted from the downy stage of Class I to the nearly fledged group in Class III. 
