CHAPTER III. 



Fauna of the Islands Caribou or Eeindeer Its Migrations 

 Bear, Wolves and Smaller Animals The Newfoundland 

 Dog His Degeneracy Birds The Ptarmigan Flora 

 Forests of the Gander Exploits and Humber Kiver Dis- 

 tricts Timber and Lumber Operations Berry-bearing 

 Plants. 



IHE FAUNA of Newfoundland will be next 

 briefly touched upon. Among the indigen- 

 ous animals, the Woodland (Rangifer Cari- 

 bou) Caribou or Reindeer holds a conspicuous place, 

 as the island contains more of these noble animals 

 than any other country in the world. They migrate 

 regularly to the southeastern and northwestern por- 

 tions of the island, passing the winter months in the 

 south, where " browse" is plentiful and the snow not 

 too deep to prevent them from obtaining the moss 

 and lichens on the lower grounds and upon which 

 they principally feed the year round. In March they 

 begin their spring migration to the mountains and 

 barrens of the northwest where, in May and June, 

 they bring forth their young. As soon as the forests 

 of October begin to nip the vegetation, they begin to 



( 26) 



