10 THE «AU DU BON’ BUC beisia 
made before the result of that inventory was made public. That his quite 
alarming predictions were entirely justified is made certain by their report, 
recently completed, that the breeding stock of waterfowl has been reduced 
by 26,000,000 below the inventory of the previous year. That is a reduc- 
tion of approximately one-third of the water-fowl of continental North 
America, and places some species in very great danger of being so reduced 
that their recovery is doubtful. Such a condition is of course due to several 
causes, but the one that can be controlled to any degree by our efforts is 
legalized shooting. We therefore strongly support Mr. Baker and the 
National Audubon Society in their plea for an entirely closed season for 
1947, 
This is of particular importance to Illinois and other states making up 
the Mississippi flyway. Forty-two per cent of all the duck stamps sold in 
the whole country last year were purchased in these states, and 37% of 
the ducks and geese reported killed were taken in this section, which is an 
indication of the heavy hunting pressure sustained by this one of the four 
recognized flyways. When you realize that this season’s inventory shows 
the Mississippi flyway as receiving only 25% of all the waterfowl it is 
evident that this territory at least should have relief from shooting if the 
breeding stock is to be maintained for future years. | 
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Quiz on Ducks 
Arranged by Mrs. ANNA C. AMES 
1. What duck, on account of the penetrating, vibrant, whistling sound 
made by its wings when in flight, is called “whistler” or “whistle-wing”? 
Which of the ducks of North America has the widest breeding range? 
Which of the ducks is of the most importance to man? 
Which is the smallest of North American ducks? 
Which of the ducks has the most spectacular of all duck courtship 
displays? 
Ae Se 
6. Which of the mergansers always builds its nest upon the ground? 
7. Which is the least known, the rarest, and the least scoter-like of the 
three American scoters? 
8. Which of the eiders is most frequently found south of its natural 
habitat? 
9. Which is the only river and pond duck with white in the speculum? 
10. Which is the most sagacious, wary, and wildest of all ducks? 
11. Which of the ducks spends the winter farther south than is the case 
with any other North American duck? 
12. Which of the ducks shows more white than any other pond duck? 
Questions and answers of this quiz are based on information contained 
in F. K. Kortright’s “The Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America.” The 
answers will be found on page 16. 
