
For three weeks in July, two netting sites were run simultaneous- 
ly, thereby increasing captures. 
Each bird captured was sexed, aged (when possible), weighed, and 
the fifth primary from each wing removed. 
Sixteen birds molting some of their primaries were collected in 
late summer and will be aged by probing the bursa of Fabricius. 
Results of Netting 
There were 203 captures during the summer. One hundred and 
eighty-two individual woodcocks were netted. Five of these were re- 
turns. One hundred and sixty-one were banded and released. Twenty- 
one of these individuals were recaptured at the same time during the 
summer as repeats. 
Netting operations took place on two of the netting sites de- 
scribed in the 1955 report. The site on Prescott Peninsula was 
operated from June 11 to September 15. This site was not in operation 
during 10 days in July when the second site at the south end of Quabbin 
Reservoir was started up. The second area was operated for 29 days. 
One hundred and four birds were captured on Prescott Peninsula and 78 
birds at the second site identified as "M.D.C.". The great majority 
of birds were caught in July. 
Sex and Age Ratios.--Analysis of the sex and age ratios in each area 
showed no significant difference (Tables 1 and 2). 
Table 1* 
Sex and Age Ratios of 136 Massachusetts Woodcocks 
in Percentage - Summer of 1956 
*x August captures often could not be accurately aged and thus are not 
Prescott MDC Totals 
Juv. ¢ 33.8(26 Je 30.5(18) 32.4(44) 
Ad. of 22.1(17) 18.7(11) 20.6(28 ) 
Juv. 16.9(13) 15.3(9) 16.2(22) 
Ad. 2 27.2(21) 35.5(21) 30.8(h2) 
Total Juv. 50.7(39) 45.8(27) 18.6(66) 
Total Ad. 49.3(38) 5.2(32) 51.4(70) 
Total ds 55.8(h3) h9.0(29 ) 53.0(72) 
Total 9s Wh.2(3) 51.0(30) 47.0(6)) 
included in the totals. 
#% Numbers in parentheses indicate number of individuals. 

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