1912 AND FISHERIES COMMISSION. 223 



itj. Such a belief is plainly erroneous and much to be deplored, but it 

 serves at least to exemplify the necesBity for not lessening, unless abso- 

 lutely imperative to do so, the varieties of game purchaseable by the 

 public, but rather, where feasible, to augment them. On the other hand 

 the sportsmen of the Province undoubtedly merit some consideration, 

 for they are a very numerous body, comprising all classes and occupa- 

 tions, and if for no other reason than that it is an injustice to them, the 

 depletion of the numbers of ducks through the operations of market 

 hunters cannot but be deemed highly regrettable. Moreover, it is per- 

 fectly apparent that if the diminution of recent years continues in like 

 proportion in the future, not only will the sport of the sportsmen have 

 been ruined, but there will be but few ducks remaining for the public 

 market. 



Practically all varieties of ducks are migratory and objection will 

 inevitably be made to any further restrictions on their slaughter on the 

 grounds already mentioned in regard to the woodcock, but although 

 there is some foundation for this argument, it is most sincerely to be 

 hoped that the day is not far distant when the open seasons for all 

 migratory birds throughout the continent will be fixed by an interna- 

 tional commission, for in the creation of such a body would appear to lie 

 the chief hope, not only of satisfactorily disposing of this problem, but 

 even of perpetuating in any numbers the migratory game birds. Indeed, 

 every effort should be made by each administration, by each sporting 

 association or club, and by each individual sportsman or lover of wild 

 life to hasten the' day when such an international body shall be ap- 

 pointed to regulate such matters. Meanwhile, it may be observed that, 

 after all, the jyerpetuation of the birds is the chiefest consideration, and 

 that it cannot be the part of wisdom in any way to assist or connive at 

 their extermination. It is better, indeed, to fight a good fight for a los- 

 ing cause which is just, than ignobly to abet an evil, mainly because it 

 is being perpetrated by others. 



In view, then, of these considerations it would seem that at the 

 present time the most reasonable course to pursue is to limit the indi- 

 vidual daily bag of ducks, taken on public lands, marshes or waters, to 

 some reasonable number. Plainly this will not result in the disappear- 

 ance of the market hunter, but at least it will serve as a check on his 

 depredations. It may be argued that it will be difficult to enforce such 

 a law, or, again, that it will entail a hardship on sportsmen, but it is to 

 be observed that a bag limit is imposed in regard to certain of the sport- 

 ing fishes, and the law is fairly well enforced and obeyed, to the advan- 

 tage of the fisheries, and that, also, say thirty ducks is a reasonable bag 

 for any individual sportsman in one day. 



At the present time the ducks get but one day's rest a week from 

 the hunter, namely, Sunday, and it is widely held that if a greater period 

 of immunity were granted the birds in which they could rest and feed 

 in peace, not only would it, by shortening the period of time available 



