142 
CONCLUSIONS 
The results of this study indicate that remote sensing 
with pattern recognition is a very useful tool in waterfowl 
census. With the computer processing of digitized imagery 
the counting can be speeded up considerably and the species 
can be classified into subgroups. The developed FORTRAN 
program can process digitized images of species having dis 
tinctive uni-color (greater snow goose, black duck, etc.) 
However, our research work will cover the processing of more 
complex patterns (images of Canada goose, diving ducks, etc.). 
The aerial photographic techniques has to be modified and 
adapted to each major species. Spectrozonal photography 
will be necessary for some species to eliminate background 
and to obtain maximum distinguishable patterns. More accurate 
identification of species will require extensive ground truthing. 
LITERATURE CITED 
(1) Bajzak, D., 1972 Signature Patterns of Game Birds. 
Report submitted to the Eastern 
Region of the Canadian Wildlife 
Service. St. John’s, Newfoundland.