78 



FISH AND GAME. 



Summary and Comparison of Deer Statistics Concluded. 



Fur-bearing Animals. 



Since the silver and black fox industry in Prince Edward 

 Island has been given such a boom a number of persons have 

 requested information about breeding wild animals in Massa- 

 chusetts. Very little appears to have been done with our 

 native fur bearers, for example, the otter and mink, owing to 

 their scarcity. A company for the rearing of silver and black 

 foxes is now established. 



Foxes. - - Foxes are reported numerous, and seem to be in- 

 creasing most rapidly in sections where game birds are abun- 

 dant. Unquestionably much damage is done to our native game 

 birds by these animals. 



White Hares. - - In March, 1914, 44 white hares were liberated 

 in the swamp of the Wilbraham game farm. At regular in- 

 tervals, apples, turnips and grain were placed on the edge of 

 the brush. Later in the year 18 were distributed and others 

 were liberated on the west side of the valley in the Hoosac 

 range and upon the Greylock Reservation. When these ani- 

 mals multiply sufficiently to stock the coverts of the State they 

 should prove a most valuable game asset for our sportsmen. 



BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



The report of the biologist of the Commission, Dr. David L. 

 Belding, follows: - 



Dr. GEOKGE W. FIELD, Chairman of Commissioners on Fisheries and Game, 



State House, Boston, Mass. 



SIR: I herewith submit the general report of the investigations of the 

 biological department during the years 1912, 1913 and 1914 and a special 

 report upon the systematic stocking of inland waters. The subject-matter 

 has been grouped with reference to the various investigations, rather 

 than in chronological order. 



