GAME BIRDS AND LARGER NON-GAME BIRDS 161 



range formerly extended farther eastward.* As this re- 

 gion forms the extreme northern limit of its range, it is 

 with the greatest difficulty that this useful Uttle bird is 

 holding its own; in the spring of 1917 it was feared by many 

 that the previous severe winter had destroyed the remnant 

 of what was formerly a fairly abundant bird on the farms 

 of southwestern Ontario. It is unfortunate that a bird so 

 useful as the bob-white from the agricultural standpoint 

 should be considered a game-bird. As a destroyer of insect 

 pests it is one of the best friends the farmer has, and how 

 much poorer the countryside is when it lacks the bob- 

 white's cheery call. The bob-white should no longer be 

 hsted as a game-bird, attractive as it is to sportsmen, but 

 it should be given absolute protection on account of its 

 value to agriculture. Under present conditions its continued 

 existence will not be possible if it is hunted as game, and the 

 sportsman who would be a party to its destruction is un- 

 worthy of the name. 



GROUSE 



The different groups of grouse and ptarmigan are well 

 represented in Canada. The following may be taken as 

 representing the chief groups: 



Richardson's Grouse. — With the exception of the sage-hen 

 this species and its related races are the largest of the grouse 

 family. They may be found from the eastern foot-hills of 

 the Rocky Mountains through the mountains to the Coast 

 Mountains, and northward to the Yukon and the Mackenzie 

 regions. 



Spruce Grouse. — The spruce forests from the Atlantic 

 coast to the Yukon are the home of this species, which, in 

 many parts of its range, has suffered on account of its com- 

 parative tameness. 



* Quail have been successfully introduced into British Columbia, and are 

 thriving in the southern part of Vancouver Island. 



