MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
The potential breeding population compared to the previous years follows: 
Potential Breeders 

Year Lineal Miles Censused Per Lineal Mile 
1949 85 6.80 
1950 81 7.91 
1951 120 . 8.18 
1952 82 y oa Oe 
1953 95.5 12.75 
1954 93.5 12.31 
1955 111.2 11.00 
1956 110.5 11,48 
The species composition of the potential breeding population as determined 
on these sample check areas follows: 
Percent 
Species Species Composition 
Mallard 28.8 
Black Duck 22.5 
Blue-winged Teal 21,°9 
Wood Duck 2.4 
Ringneck Duck 5.4 
Merganser SF 
Pintail 1.4 
Unidentified 13.9 
Special efforts were made to determine the status of the wood duck as 
noticeable decreases in their numbers have been reported in recent years for 
certain States of the Mississippi Flyway. 
The index of change expressed in percent of wood ducks compared to all 
species observed on census routes of our sample check areas provides some of 
the best data we have to offer. Itis important to emphasize that these census 
routes were not selected with reference to wood duck habitat, but merely 
representative of waterfowl habitat found in various parts of the State. 
Comparisons for two surveys follow: 
Potential Breeders Per Percent 
Year Lineal Mile Wood Ducks 
1950 7.91 2.2 
1951 8.18 3.9 
1952 7.13 3.0 
1953 12.75 6.7 
Continued -- 
71 
