CENTRAL FLYWAY 
SOUTHERN SASKATCHEWAN _- Continued | 
Production Indices 
The 1958 brood index was 253,100 as compared to 615,800 in 1957 
(- 59%). Stratum A-West was down 76%, the largest drop, while A-East 
ghowed the least lost, only 18%. 
Numbers of ducklings per brood was also down, in fact at an all 
time low of 4.3 ducklings per class III brood. Taking class II and III 
proods together the figure indicated 4.16 ducklings per brood, also an 
unusually low number. . 
The coot brood index was off 92% by our aerial methods. Coot - 
population and production figures have always left much to be desired 
from aerial surveys. However, to the best of our knowledge coot produc- 
tion will be down in this area, although it may not be off as much as 
the figures indicate. 
_ The early nexters as indicated reached a hatching peak in late 
May. However, re-nesting attempts appear to have continued and at 
present a number of broods are still coming off. Of the broods observed 
and classified this year they fell into this category: Class I's 33.6%; 
Class II's 44.0%; and Class III's 22.4%. Last year this breakdown 
showed broods to be thus: Class I's 25.2%; Class II's 32.1%; and Class 
III's 42.5%. This would indicate for this year a fairly poor success 
of early nesters and better success.on re-nesting and later nesting 
species. The late nexting index in 1958 stood at 264% above 1957. 
This index was stronger than any previous year in the last seven years 
except 1955. It is doubted that the index this year of 388,500 should 
be considered a balancing effect to brood losses. It no doubt will 
assist in offsetting some previous losses. However, it should. be 
remembered that with the declining water conditions these late nesters 
and re-nesters are up against the same perils as confronted the early 
nesters and their success will probably be no better. © | 
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