26 THE EEPORT UPOX No. 13 



and grey squirrels are not increasing as would be expected. The pheasants are, 

 however, increasing and local sports are of the opinion that the pheasants are running 

 the quail out, and this may be so, for since the advent of pheasants there the quail 

 seem to have been gradually decreasing. Bevies of from 20 to 35 were common; 

 now 5 to 1 dozen are the most seen. The game laws are strictly observed, in this 

 he is assisted by the sportsmen themselves, and no pot-hunting or illegal devices are 

 tolerated. 



Overseer Henry Johnson, of Brantford, reports that the fishing in his division is 

 about the same as last year, all but coarse fish which is not as good as last year. 

 Bass and pickerel and trout about the same. There seems to be lots of small bass 

 in the river. He has had some complaints which he investigated and there have been 

 five fines for illegal fishing and eight for Sunday fishing. With the assistance of 

 the new Deputy Game and Fishery Wardens and the telephone in the county it will 

 be hard work to do much illegal fishing and hunting. He would be pleased to 

 see proper slides in the dams in his division as it is impossible for fish to come up 

 in the condition they are in. Black and grey squirrels arc more plentiful than last 

 year and also quails and plenty of rabbits. He wants to congratulate the Depart- 

 ment on the success of the hatchery here; the amount of young bass taken from the 

 pond more than exceeded his expectations. 



What the Department lacks in quantity they have gained in experience and he is 

 fully convinced that with the experience and under the able superintendency of 

 Mr. Edwards the output next year will be increased by many thousands. 



Overseer Edward Lee, of Low BanJcs, reports as follows : — The catch of White- 

 fish by tug fishermen out of Port Maitland shows a marked decrease as compared 

 with 1908; Herring a large increase over the last five or six years; Blue Pickerel 

 are as plentiful as ever; Pickerel (dore) about same as last season, also a slight 

 increase in the catch of perch. The Whitefish taken by pound nets about same as 

 last year; an increase in Pickerel (dore), Herring and Perch. Pickerel (Blue), 

 better than last year, a decrease in Sturgeon and Caviare. Coarse fish about same 

 as last report, with exception of Carp on the increase, and very few taken ; nets 

 damaged much by storms. Quail and Partridge are reported more numerous. 

 Squirrels owing to the clearing up of land are becoming scarce. Cotton Tail Rabbits 

 plentiful. Not so many Hares or White Rabbits, which are only found in some 

 of the marshy districts. Wild Ducks reported numerous; while the usual numbers 

 of Wild Geese are seen each spring and fall, very few are shot. Woodcock not 

 numerous, but still found in some localities, and less Golden Plover seen of late 

 years. Muskrats quite plentiful, and an occasional Mink. About 95 per cent, of 

 the fish caught in his division are shipped to the United States, the balance used for 

 local and home consumption. No abuses exist. The close sea-sons have been well 

 observed by licensed fishermen, and nothing irregular except some minor matters 

 already reported. The game laws have been well observed by local sportsmen, non- 

 residents having very little regard for same. 



Overseer Kenneth McClennan, of Grovesend, reports that he has observed that 

 during this season the fish have been quite plentiful in comparison with the catch 

 of last season, and the time when the fishermen look for the largest hauls is yet to 

 come. The frequent storms on the lake such as have not been seen for years, have 

 interfered with the fishing considerably during this, their busiest season. The fisher- 



