MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
INDIANA - Continued 
Conclusions 
All. indications point to a very successful reproductive season so 
far, for the wood duck in Indiana. Reports from almost every section are 
favorable. This is the third successive year showing an increase in the 
wood duck brood-count, since the low of 1955. ‘This year, three of the nine 
stream sections had brood-counts exceeding their respective all-time high 
counts, six of the nine have equaled or exceeded their respective figures 
for 1957, and six, including the two estimated at the average, have equaled 
or exceeded their respective six-year averages. Brood size is also at an 
all time high, however, a portion of this may be a reflection of the greater 
number of broods in the younger age classes, 
IOWA 
Weather and Water Condition 
Meany prairie marshes remain dry because of the semi-drought condi- 
tions of the last few years. However, except for some severe local flooding, 
weather and water conditions have been excellent for waterfowl production and 
survival. 
Breeding Population and Production Indices 
Emphasis has been placed upon the study of the wood duck because 
the production of this species in Iowa is of importance to the flyway popula- 
tion. The blue-winged teal and mallard are common nesters, but not numer- 
ically of great importance to the flyway. During 1958, nesting pintails have 
appeared in Iowa's lake region in the largest mumbers observed during the past 
nine years. Total pintail production in this State is only a "drop in the 
pucket," but the response of this species to local habitat (phenological) con- 
ditions in 1958 may be indicative of a widespread dispersal of this species 
throughout other suitable fringe areas of its range. 
The wood duck production trend in Iowa appears upward in 1958. 
Stream survey data and nesting box checks indicate this, but the data are too 
limited to provide an estimate of the percentage of increase. 7 
The trend of blue-winged teal and mallard production in Iowa appears 
upward. More of these ducks have been observed during 1958 than in any 
nesting season since. 1951. 
Conclusions 
Total production, with the exception of pintails, is still below 
the peak production year of 1951 in Iowa, but is improved over 1957. 
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