1922-23 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 101 



desire. Each side has its advantages. The Lake beach is admittedly one of 

 the best fresh water bathing, grounds in the Dominioniand the fresh breezes 

 from Old Lake Erie are most invigorating. While the Bay side has its advantages 

 in the way of fishing, sailing, canoeing and motor boating, it has also good 

 bathing grounds, as in places the bottom is sandy. 



The Bay is about seven miles long and from two to three miles in width, 

 and as it is practically surrounded by land it is ideal for aquatic sports of all 

 kinds. In the fall when the wild ducks and geese are flying south the marshes 

 of reeds and wild rice are full of birds and it is a most interesting time for 

 hunters. 



Rondeau Park proper covers about 5,000 acres and the greater portion of 

 it is well wooded with all kinds of valuable timber, considerable pine, walnut, 

 whitewood and all other varieties of hardwood being found here, and all the 

 trees are tall, straight and well proportioned and are wonderfully free from all 

 parsitic growths or fungi. 



In this beautiful woods may be seen any number of deer. They have 

 become very numerous of late years so that each season as many as can be dis- 

 posed of for venison are being shot. This last year 129 carcases were disposed 

 of in this way, being sold on the Park by the carcase, which brought in a revenue 

 of over $1,000.00 and as they have hitherto destroyed the young growth in the 

 forest to a great extent, already a difference can be noticed in the growth of 

 young shrubs in certain portions of the Park where the deer were wont to browse. 

 We have a small enclosure of about twelve acres in which are confined about 

 sixteen deer. These are of great interest to visitors. 



Our beaver colonies are thriving well. There are at least three families 

 and their work shows that they lead a very busy life and are increasing in 

 numbers. 



The black squirrels are very numerous, hundreds of the little furry animals 

 being seen and heard chattering throughout the forest. 



Owing to the ravages of some red foxes, which have invaded the Park this 

 last year, our stock of wild turkeys and Canadian wild geese has diminished 

 somewhat in numbers. 



We have been fairly successful this year in rearing pheasants. A goodly 

 number of English Ring-necks have been liberated from year to year, and we 

 receive many reports from points outside the Park, where the birds have nested 

 and hatched and are thriving wonderfully well. We have also supplied eggs 

 to those who have desired to rear them and in some cases they have been very 

 successful in raising the young pheasant. Our aviary is well stocked with all 

 varieties, such as the Goldens, the Silvers, the Reeves, Lady Amhersts, Chinese 

 and English Ring-necks. 



Considerable improvements have been carried out in the Park this year. 



Roads to the extent of about five miles have been gravelled. 



The restaurant was thoroughly overhauled, and an addition built to it, 

 which makes it much more convenient in every way. 



The pavilion was shingled. 



Two new lavatories equipped with Kaustine equipment were completed 

 on the Lake side. 



The two bath-houses were moved together and fitted with lockers. An 

 office was placed between them. This has been greatly appreciated by the 

 public and has been very satisfactory. 



We must mention also how much the Hydro-Electric has been appreciated 

 in the Park. It was installed in July, 1922, and has proved a wonderful boon 



