93 • EEPORT OF THE No. 3 



tory are many small lakes, some of which are not shown on the maps, and many 

 containing great quantities of trout. It is also the resort of many moose and red 

 deer, as well as smaller game animals. 



Moose are very plentiful, great numbers of them being seen during summer, 

 French lake, French river. Pickerel lake, Maligne river, Quetico lake and river 

 being the principal places where moose abound. Several came on the beach and in 

 the bay opposite the buildings last summer. They are now all in the hills north 

 of French and Pickerel lakes. Many moose calves were seen also during the 

 season. Eed deer are numerous. Many were seen during summer along the 

 shores of lakes and rivers. Partridges are scarce. I am inclined to think this is 

 on account of the numbers of foxes, coyotes and skunks in the woods. Coyotes are 

 very numerous. Wolves have often been seen; tracks of these animals are often 

 noticed on the ice in winter. I am encouraging my men to poison them when 

 possible. One of my rangers got one on the Maligne river last winter; in several 

 cases bait was taken also. This season we expect to be in a better position to get 

 them. 



Beaver are increasing rapidly; where only one house or pond was to be seen 

 last year many are now seen. Mink are often noticed in the streams. Some 

 otter trails were observed last winter. I have not yet seen any muskrat or signs 

 of them. Weasels are plentiful. Bear signs are very numerous. Two moose 

 calves were killed by bears in June last at Pickerel lake. 



The lakes are well stocked with trout, pike, pickerel, whitefish, and some 

 other varieties of fish. Only in two lakes in the south are bass to be found. There 

 are no speckled or brook trout in the Park. I would strongly urge the placing 

 of speckled or brook trout and bass in some of the lakes and rivers near head- 

 quarters. The lakes and rivers are clear and clean, ideal breeding places for trout 

 and bass. Ducks are very scarce, A few of the eatable varieties were seen in 

 spring and early summer, but disappeared later on, Sawbills and other fish-eating 

 varieties were the only ones remaining all season. There are no feeding grounds 

 for them in the lakes. If wild rice or celery were placed in some of the lakes, I 

 have no doubt many more ducks would breed and remain in the district. 



Owls are very large and numerous in the Park. I shot two large hawks on a 

 nest last spring and found several portions of partridge and a portion of a young 

 fawn. I have advised my rangers to kill and destroy owls and hawks whenever 

 possible. Another menace I see in the Park is the porcupine. In many places I 

 have noticed pine trees girdled by those animals, noticeably so in the pine hills on 

 Eden island and along Pickerel lake. I would advise killing off these animals, 

 especially in pine forests. 



During the present winter, or as soon as the ice is fit for travel, it is my 

 intention to go over as much of the Park as possible and see for myself some 

 portions of the interior not yet visited, locate sites for new shelter huts and por- 

 tages, and obtain as far as possible an idea of the lie of the lakes and streams, 

 kinds of timber, etc. This travelling must be done with snowshoes and toboggans, 

 taking tent, provisions and blankets along, I find it is impossible to obtain a dog 

 team in this country. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Yours very respectfully, 



A. J. McDonald, 



Superintendent. 



