242 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



breeding place for wild fowl, but excessive shooting has re- 

 duced its value as a breeding place. Pine, oaks, red cedar, 

 black walnut, and hackberry grow in profusion on the nar- 

 row strip of land running down the west side of the point 

 and make it a tract of singular beauty to the lover of trees 

 and shady groves. Its scenic value, the southern nature 

 of its birds and plant life, its importance as a main route 

 for migratory birds and the exceptional opportunities it 

 affords for the protection and encouragement of wild fowl, 

 insectivorous and other birds, all combine to make it an 

 ideal area for a national reservation." 



From the foregoing account it will be seen that the Do- 

 minion National Parks comprise a total area of 8,917 square 

 miles. In this area the wild life is afforded absolute pro- 

 tection. It is difficult to express in words what this means 

 in relation to the perpetuation of our big game and fur- 

 bearing animals, game-birds, wild fowl, and other species of 

 our wild life, but the maintenance of such a policy is calcu- 

 lated to contribute more than anything else to the conserva- 

 tion of our wild life. 



Even in those parks which have been established mainly 

 or entirely on account of the magnificent scenic attractions 

 within their confines, the wild life will play no small part in 

 contributing to the beauty of such scenery, for what forest 

 glade is not made more beautiful by the presence of a few 

 deer or wapiti, what mountainside is not rendered more 

 attractive to the eye by the presence of our magnificent 

 mountain sheep or agile goat ? It is the presence of moun- 

 tain sheep that gives an added charm to the landscape, and 

 the decorative value of our wild life makes a special appeal to 

 the tired dwellers of our cities seeking refreshment in the 

 wild solitudes of our national and provincial parks. 



Speaking in Ottawa in 1913 on the subject of our national 

 parks. His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught, said: 

 "I do not think that Canada realizes what an asset the na- 



