ANNUAL REPORT, 1939-40 



makes the hunting easier. Its speed is its chief defence and it is not easily sub- 

 dued. 



Hunters should note that while rabbits are quite prolific breeders there is 

 just as much danger of exterminating them through needless waste as any other 

 species of game. This is particularly true in the more populous areas, where hunt- 

 ing is heavy and habitat restricted. Control is necessary to prevent damage to 

 property, but game which provides such healthy outdoor sport at a minimum of ex- 

 pense is worth conserving. 



PARTRIDGE: — The ruffed grouse, or partridge as it is more generally called, 

 is a native bird and is found in varying numbers throughout the Province. In the 

 more settled sections its numbers are very limited, and it is further subject to a 

 cycle of scarcity and abundance which materially affects its permanent develop- 

 ment. However, at the present time, the cycle appears to be on the up swing again 

 and improvem^ent has been noted, particularly throughout Northern Ontario, as well 

 as in the northern section of the southern part of the Province. 



The sharp-tailed grouse or prairie chicken is prevalent only in the north- 

 western districts and even there this species is comparatively scarce. 



The ruffed grouse is perhaps the fastest and most elusive of our upland game 

 birds. 



QUAIL: — These birds are found principally in the southwestern counties 

 of Essex, Kent, Lambton and Middlesex and in the counties immediately adjacent 

 to the eastern boundaries thereof, in which section they are fairly plentiful. Scat- 

 tered bevies are also reported in some eastern counties, that is Stormont, Dundas 

 and Glengarry. 



PHEASANT: — The English ring-necked pheasant is a non-native bird. It was 

 originally introduced to Ontario about half a century ago and since then has under- 

 gone a process of natural and artificial development which has served to firmly 

 establish it in certain areas, — particularly in the southwestern part of the Province 

 where the climate is not too rigorous. Because of the fact that climatic conditions 

 are extreme over much of the Province it is unlikely that the pheasant will have 

 an extended range. However, it has done so well where it has become established 

 that open seasons have been the rule for a number of years. 



In recent years the Department has enlarged and intensified its operations 

 in connection with the propagation and distribution of pheasants and during the 

 year reported on adult pheasants and poults numbering 30,39 6 were liberated in 

 areas suitable for their development. Of this number 27,373 were distributed in 

 Townships established as Regulated Game Preserve Areas, and the balance, 3,023 

 birds, in Counties not included in this Regulated scheme, principally Essex and Kent. 

 The birds were allotted as they were available according to the area of the Town- 

 ships concerned and the conditions prevailing therein. Details of the distribution 

 are as follows: — 



Regulated Game Preserve Areas: County of Brant, two Townships, 801 birds; 

 County of Elgin, four Townships, 1813 birds; County of Haldimand, ten Townships, 

 3,824 birds; County of Halton, four Townships, 1909 birds; County of Lennox and 

 Addington, one Township, 140 birds; County of Lincoln, eight Townships, 3,043 

 birds; County of Middlesex, two Townships, 1270 birds; County of Norfolk, four 

 Townships, 1,940 birds; County of Ontario, three Townships, 1,185 birds; County 

 of Oxford, one Township, 546 birds; County of Peel, four Townships, 1,797 birds; 

 County of Prince Edward, one Township, 340 birds; County of Welland, eight 

 Townships, 3,173 birds; County of Wellington, one Township, 370 birds; County of 

 Wentworth, six Townships, 1,871 birds; and the County of York, six Townships, 

 3,351 birds. 



