Wing Collection Survey 
In addition to the Singing Ground Survey, a Wing Collection 
Survey, conducted in the 1960-61 and 1961-62 hunting seasons, 
also provided information concerning population status of 
woodcock. The purpose of the Wing Collection Survey is to 
obtain an annual index of woodcock reproductive success, 
based on the age and sex composition of the hunting kill as 
indicated by wings. 
source of Wings 
Names and addresses of woodcock hunters were obtained from 
State and Provincial Conservation Departments, U. S. Game 
Management Agents, and cooperators in the Singing Ground Survey. 
Hunters, not in the original sample, who contributed wings were 
also placed on the mailing list. Each year, wing envelopes were 
distributed to more than 1,300 hunters in various States and 
Provinces. Hunters were outstanding in their response to the 
survey and contributed 11,232 wings in 1960 and 10,111 in 1961. 
Age and Sex Determination - 
Two techniques were used to determine the age of a bird 
from which a wing was taken. The method used most is based 
on differences between young and adults in the pattern and 
color of the tips of the inner flight feathers. A descrip- 
tion of this technique is in preparation. The second method 
is based on the fact that adult woodcock molt rather late in 
the summer, which means that their flight feathers are consid- 
erably newer than those of young birds. Age can be determined 
by microscopic examination of the tips of the outer flight 
feathers of adults which show less wear than those of young 
birds (Sheldon, W., F. Greeley, and J. Kupa. 1958. Aging 
fall-shot American Woodcock by primary wear. Jour. Wildl. 
Memt., 22(3):310-312). This method of age determination 
was used when the inner flight feathers were missing or 
badly damaged. 
Sex was determined from the outer three flight feathers, 
which are wider and longer in females (Blankenship, L. 1957. 
Investigations of the American Woodcock in Michigan. Report 
No. 2123, Mich. Dept. Cons., 217 pp.). 
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