It is premature to conclude that random routes are a 
feasible means of determining a reliable index of woodcock 
population size. Nevertheless, results obtained in 1963 
indicate that the method shows much promise. 
WING-COLLECTION SURVEY 
In addition to singing-ground counts made each spring to 
determine size of the woodcock population, wing-collection 
surveys are conducted, to obtain an annual index of woodcock 
productivity, based on the age and sex composition of the 
hunting kill as determined from wings. 
Source of wings 
In 1961 and 1962, wing-collection envelopes were mailed 
to more than 1,500 hunters who had cooperated in previous wing 
collections. Names and addresses had been originally supplied 
“py State and Provincial Conservation Departments, U. S. game 
management agents, and cooperators in the singing-ground sur- 
vey. Names of additional hunters were obtained from wing- 
collection envelopes distributed by individuals already taking 
part in the survey. In 1962, the wing collection in Canada 
was conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Hunters res- 
ponded exceeedingly well to the survey. They returned envelopes 
containing 10,111 wings in 1961 and 15,315 wings in 1962. 
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 ditferences between young and adults in the pattern and 
color of the tips of the inner flight feathers. A descrip- 
tion of this technique will soon be published. The second 
method is based on the fact that adult woodcock molt rather 
late in the summer, which means that their flight feathers 
are considerably ‘newer than those of young birds. Age can 
be determined by microscopic examination of the tips of the 
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