1912 GAME AND FISHEIUES. 67 



in the present state is one of tlie worst fish traps that could be invented. If a pass 

 were put in at Oakville tliey could have any amount of fish right up to Milton. 

 In fact salmon trout used to come up there in the early days. 



In his district they have had one of the best seasons for the rearing of game 

 tliat tliey have had for a good many years; and thanks to the Order passed in 

 Council prohibiting the shooting of partridges, black and grey squirrels, he is 

 glad to say that a giatifiying increase has been the result; clearly showing that if 

 let alone for a while what they can do in the way of multiplying. 



Woodcock — A number of years ago in the valley between there and Campbell- 

 ville quite a number were found, but owing to the cleaning up of the creek they 

 seem to have left, still a few are here every season. 



Cotton-tails — He must say that they are getting very numerous and cases of 

 them destroying gardens have been reported to him. In Nassagaweya they are 

 very plentiful. 



Wood Hares — He finds they are getting very scarce, owing to the cleaning up 

 of the swamps. 



Quail — A few years ago some parties in Gait let out quite a few, and they 

 must have followed the tiack, for they appeared around Guelph Junction, and 

 from six they increased to twenty-four. They were often seen on the track, but 

 from what he can learn a pot-hunter from Guelph cleaned them out. 



Pigeons — Near Guelph Junction quite a few ring-neck doves nested, but this 

 season he has not seen one. 



Wood Duck — Below Caiiipbellville for years they nested, but this last two sea- 

 sons not one has been seen. 



Passenger Pigeons — Much has been written about this lost bird. He says 

 that in 1882 he saw one that was shot in Nassagaweya; also in 1885 he was back 

 at Tiout Lake, about fifteen miles from Sundridge, and on their way in they saw 

 two on the lumber road. They were the real passenger pigeon, as they had plenty 

 of time to examine them, so that is the last of the pigeon in this part of the 

 country. 



Dogs Running at large — A number of complaints reached him about parties 

 owning hounds and allowing them to run at large all season. This is something 

 that should be put a stop to. A large number of sheep were killed in that part. 

 He thinks the cause will not be hard to find. 



Hiring Guns — It seems to be customary for nearly all hardware stores to 

 rent guns, and without doubt this is the cause of the slaughter of many useful 

 birds. He has come across a gang of boys (the eldest not 14 years of age), each 

 armed with a shotgun hired from the stores; and they shoot at everything that 

 comes in sight. Nothing will stop this state of affairs but a gun license. 



Mink — Not so plentiful as other years owing to increase of price and more 

 trapping. 



Muskrat — Same as mink. 



Raccoon — From reports they are as plentiful as in other years. 



Red Fox — Quite a number were shot last season ; and reports from hunters 

 say they are as numerous as in other years. 



In conclusion he would suggest that two counties adjoining each other be 

 closed to hunting every year. For example, in 1912 Wentworth and Wellington, 

 in 19r3 Halton and Peel, and so on, which, he thinks, would give game a chance to 

 increase. 



Overseer Chris. Burtcheall, of CohoconJc, reports that the fishing was very 



