latest spring that has been recorded since breeding ground surveys 
were initiated. A species which ordinarily nests in pothole habitat 
in the parklands or prairies is not likely to reproduce at a normal 
rate in northern nabitat even under the best of conditions, but when 
faced with a late spring, which markedly reduces the length of an 
already short nesting season, the chance of normal production is 
very small. A report from the aerial survey crew operating in the 
Northwest Territories indicated that broods were just beginning to 
appear on July 26. During other years when July surveys have been 
conducted in this area, the bulk of the broods of early nesters 
have been on the water by this date, and many of them have been 
from 3 to 5 weeks old. It is concluded that the large increase 
in adult birds in the northern Alberta and Northwest Territories 
will produce relatively few ducklings this year. 
| There will be increases in the fall flight from Missouri, 
Iowa, and Montana, but these increases will in no respect offset 
the losses in the important areas further north. 
Habitat conditions for over-water nesters are particularly 
adverse this year and reproduction among canvasbacks, redheads, and 
coot appear to be almost a complete failure. 
Overall, it is anticipated that the fall flight. of ducks: 
in the Mississippi Flyway will show a marked decrease as compared 
to last year. It is estimated that there will be a drastic decrease 
in the flight of canvasbacks and redheads. 
By reason of a small reduction in the breeding population 
of blue geese, as measured by the annual winter survey, it is esti-~ 
mated that there will be a small decrease in the fall flight of this 
species. 
Since the breeding population of Canada geese remained 
essentially unchanged as compared to 1958, it is estimated that 
there will be no change in the fall flight of this species. 
The breeding habitat of coot was materially reduced this 
year and the reduction in numbers of broods observed during the July 
surveys averaged about 60 percent. Therefore, it.is estimated that 
there will be a drastic reduction in the fall flight of this species. 
165 
