MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY 
The waterfow! population present in the Mississippi Flyway during 
January 1956 was considerably larger than the year before, and was consid- 
erably above the average of the past several years. Increases were recorded 
for most of the important species except the Canada goose, which remained 
about the same. | 
Increases in population were recorded also following the return of 
the birds to the breeding grounds. Surveys indicated a larger breeding popuia- 
tion in Southern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
Minnesota and the Northwest Territories. Decreases were recorded in 
Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Manitoba, and Ontario. 
Throughout most of the breeding range supplying the Flyway the 
season was from two to three weeks late. There was somewhat less water 
in parts of the prairies in Saskatchewan and Alberta than there was a year ago. 
On the other hand, water levels were practically at flood stage in Manitoba. 
There was little rain throughout the prairies and parklands from mid-May 
through mid-June, but the drought was broken by general rains during the 
later part of June. Shower conditions prevailed during July to the extent that 
water levels have been maintained. 
Nest mortality was rather high during the early part of the season and 
the drying conditions which set in during late May andearly June discouraged 
re-~nesting to some extent. In spite of the increased breeding population, 
therefore, the fall flight will be about the same as last year from Southern 
Saskatchewan, Southern Manitoba, Northern Alberta and the Northwest 
Territories, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Quebec and 
Labrador, and Alaska. Decreases are expected from Northern Saskatchewan, 
Northern Manitoba, Ontario, Southern Alberta, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. 
It is expected that the only increases in fall flight will come from Minnesota, 
Indiana, and Ohio. 
Over-all, the fall flight forecast for the Mississippi Flyway is for 
about the same population of ducks as last year. 

There is little breeding ground data concerning production of geese 
other than that the season was late. Since a late season may have an adverse 
effect on production, it is estimated that the flight this fall of Canada geese 
and blue geese will be about the same as last year or somewhat less. 
The number of coot broods seen this year was greater in several 
locations, particularly in Southern Saskatchewan. There, it is estimated that 
the fall flight of coots will increase this year in the Mississippi Flyway. 
107 
