292 SPORT IX NEWFOUNDLAND. 



abounded in the "Monarch of tlie brook." Already, under tlic 

 restorative measures introduced by the Department of Fisheries 

 and the protective rules and regulations enforced by wardens, a 

 marked improvement has taken place, and in a few years the 

 streams will recover their former abundance. Even now there 

 are places where the salmon-fisher may find excellent sport. For 

 more adventurous sportsmen there are the black bear and the 

 wolf in the interior ; while the beaver and otter are found there 

 around the lonely lakes and ponds. Xow that these sjiorting 

 regions are rendered accessible to some extent Ijy raihvays, sports- 

 men are arriving in increasing numbers from other lands. 



PTARMIGAN ABUNDANT. 



The finest sport perhaps is ptarmigan — shooting which com- 

 mences September 15th — -Ijefore which date it is illegal, and 

 terminates January 12th. These fine birds are quite equal to 

 the Scotch grouse, and resemble them so closely that it is difii- 

 cult to make out any specific difference between the red grouse, 

 gorcock or moorcock of Scotland and those of Newfoundland. 

 As a table bird they are unsurpassed in richness and delicacy of 

 flavour. Ill September, after feeding on the wild berries, they 

 ai'e in excellent condition. In certain localities, and at some 

 distance from settlements, they are very plentiful. In winter 

 they become pure white. 



WILD GEKSE AND DUCKS, CUKLEW, ETC. 



The wild goose breeds in the most secluded ponds and brings 

 lier young ones down the brooks early in July, when they are 

 full grown. Tlie Idack duck, the finest of all table birds, is- 

 abundant in certain localities. The plover and curlew ai'e so 

 j)lentiful that sportsmen only fire at them when a shot at a flock 

 can be obtained. They are bred on the shores of Labrador, and 

 after feeding on the wild berries they arrive in Newfoundland- 

 almost balls of fat and in flavour peculiarly delicious. The wild 

 goose is a remarkably fine bird, easily domesticated but does not 

 breed when tamed. It crosses readily with the tame goose, the 

 result being the mongrel goose so esteemed by ej)icures. 



