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habitats on the Nucla study area. Four birds were observed and many more heard <br /> in the alfalfa field and upland sagebrush habitat types during 1979-1980 <br /> wildlife studies. Population estimates for this species are not available; <br /> however, the ring-necked pheasant is very common in the area (personal <br /> communication, March 1980, Rich Sherman, DOW) . Ring-necked pheasants nest <br /> in dense, grassy areas along ditches and adjacent to grain fields. Limited <br /> nesting habitat exists in the study area in the form of grassy areas along <br /> the irrigation ditches and adjacent to the alfalfa field. However, ring- <br /> necked pheasant nests were not encountered on the study area. <br /> mourning dove. Only one mourning dove was observed in the study area. This <br /> individual was sighted flying over the juniper habitat during the breeding <br /> passerine transects in June, 1979. <br /> Mourning doves are summer and fall residents of the study area. Population <br /> estimates of mourning doves in the area are not available; however, mourning <br /> doves are not as common as ring-necked pheasants (personal communication, <br /> March 1980, Rich Sherman, DOW) . Mourning doves nest in a variety of situa- <br /> tions including trees, shrubs and on the ground. No mourning dove nests <br /> were observed on the site; however, potential nesting habitat cccurs through- <br /> out the study area. <br /> Waterfowl. Three small water bodies and a marshy area are present in the study <br /> area (Map 11-2, Appendix A) and represent potential waterfowl habitat. Two <br /> of the water bodies are intermittant; the third was used to store water for <br /> irrigation. Although waterfowl were not observed on the study area during fall <br /> migration, it is possible that the permanent water body and marshy area could <br /> be used as resting and feeding stops during migration. The study area occurs on <br /> the far western edge on the Central Flyway (Linduska 1964) . Possible migrants <br /> through the study area (during migration) include: pintail, mallard, baldpate, <br /> gadwall, green-winged teal and cinnamn teal. Of the four potential waterfowl <br /> areas on the study site only one, the marshy area, represents potential <br /> nesting habitat because of the available perennial water and associated <br /> aquatic vegetation (e.g. , bus sp. and Juncus spp.) ; however, this area <br /> -39- <br /> J U M i 1 1980 <br />