Inventory of migrant species.

Total annual precipitation for 1957 was about or above normal for the Gulf Coast region. Fresh surface water was abundant over all the coast except along the lower half were some shortage did occur late in the year. Good distribution of the rainfall over the upper coast resulted in an excellent crop of native waterfowl food plants. Also, the rice fields held surface water, which made the waste or lost rice and weed seed available to wintering waterfowl populations. The total waterfowl population in the coastal region was less than that of former years. The abundance of water and feed resulted in new dispersal patterns in winter populations. There were few huge concentrations; a more homogeneous distribution of the birds was observed. Inventory flights into Mexico failed to disclose any significant number of ducks or geese. For the first time in several years the upper half of the Texas Gulf Coast wintered more than 50 per cent of the total coastal population of waterfowl. The midwinter (January 1958) inventory disclosed a waterfowl population more than double that of January 1957. There can be but little doubt that the increased population of January 1958 was a result of greatly improved carrying capacity and general food and water conditions over most if not all of the State of Texas.