A-Z2). Because all hunters did not receive 
the eastern questionnaire form, on which 
the black duck was listed, the waterfowl 
kill survey is assumed to have under- 
reported that species. Because of the 
importance of the black duck in the Atlantic 
Flyway, under-reporting them may have 
had the effect of causing mallards to appear 
33 
over-reported. As in the Mississippi Fly- 
way, gadwalls, American widgeon, and 
ring-necked duck wings were received in 
relatively greater numbers than these 
species were reported onthe questionnaire. 
Both surveys were in agreement that the 
wood duck was the third most important 
species in the hunter's bag. 
WINTER SURVEY 
FACTORS AFFECTING SURVEY 
Excellent weather conditions prevailed 
throughout most of the survey period this 
year. At the time of the survey, fresh 
waters and many tidal areas inthe northern 
part of the Flyway were frozen over, in 
contrast with 1960 when considerable open 
water was present. It is believed that with 
the birds more concentrated, due to the 
frozen conditions, a higher proportion of 
the birds present were tallied. Frozen 
conditions in the north undoubtedly forced 
many birds to winter farther south this 
year. For example, 22 percent of the 
dabbling ducks and 28 percent of thedivers, 
or 25 percent if both groups are combined, 
were tallied for the area from Delaware 
north. In 1960, the percentages were 27, 
35, and 31, respectively. Of the black duck 
population, 54 percent was tallied in the 
northern part of the Flyway in 1961 and 
61 percent in 1960. 
POPULATION TRENDS 
Among the dabbling ducks, there was a 
Small decrease in the black ducks, no 
change in mallards, and a small increase 
in pintails. 
Among the diving ducks, the important 
canvasback showed the rather substantial 
increase of 45 percent over last year. 
Due to offshore rafting and the difficulties 
of consistently locating flocks of redheads, 
the 128-percent increase recorded should 
be taken only as indicating a good increase. 
The important scaup also frequently rafts 
miles offshore and, consequently, it is 
difficult to locate consistently in some 
areas. It showed a slight increase of 13 
percent. The ring-necked duck showed a 
slight decrease from last year. 
Apparently, production in the Far North 
was good last year as demonstrated by 
the increases in geese and brant. The 41l- 
percent increase recorded for Canada geese 
in the Flyway is particularly noteworthy. 
The brant is at about the highest level 
recorded in recent years. The coot popula- 
tion is about the same as last year. 
The winter survey data are presented 
in appendix C: species composition and 
comparisons with 1960 in table C-11 (p. 68), 
and comparisons with previous years in 
tables C-12 and C-13 (p. 69), and infigures 
C-1 through C-5 (p. 70-74). 
BREEDING GROUND SURVEY 
MARITIME PROVINCES 
Data supplied by A. J. Erskine, 
Canadian Wildlife Service 
WEATHER AND WATER CONDITIONS 
No appreciable thaw occurred during 
the winter of 1960-61, and snow greatly 
above the average accumulated. In March 
and April the mean temperatures averaged 
3° below normal, and the snow and ice 
melted very gradually until early in May. 
Temperatures in May were generally 
normal or above normal, except where 
the proximity of sea ice kept the air cool; 
Spring freshets on the Saint John River 
and certain smaller rivers were thus later 
and higher than average. 
In general, water levels in breeding 
areas were 1 to 3 feet higher than in 1960 
