1914 GAME AND EISHEKIES. 



iiig them on the ground or in the trees, when half -grown; the present open 

 season may not be satisfactory to this class of sportsmen, but is good for the 

 so-called partridge. 



Quail are reported to have increased to some extent in consequence of last 

 year's close season, but from a combination of circumstances I am not sanguine 

 as to the future of these useful little natives of the South and Western Counties. 



Snipe are reported to have been more numerous than usual, many large bags 

 were made, and hunters have had excellent sport with these elusive visitors. 



Woodcock. — There is hope for the futttre for the sportsmen of the Province 

 who delight in killing a few brace of these, the most valued of our game birds. 

 Their breeding grounds being the most temperate portions of Ontario and the^ 

 Maritime Provinces. For a number of years they have returned from the Southern 

 States in decreased numbers, in consequence of their being hunted and killed in 

 their winter resorts with impunity, by negroes and others, from their arrival in 

 October and November until March, leaving the remnants to return here to 

 their breeding grounds. With a short open season in their winter resorts and the 

 Jaw effectively forced, we may reasonably expect that the threatened extermination 

 will be delayed. 



Pheasants will never be a permanent factor in our game supply in consequence 

 of their being ground feeders, and unless fed would perish in the winter in those 

 parts of the Province where snow covers the land for months during our long 

 winters. 



FUR-BEARTNG AnIMALS. 



Beaver have increased to such an extent that it has been necessary to destroy 

 their dams to prevent roads and private property being flooded by the persistent 

 work of these intelligent dam-builders. 



Otter, Mink, Muskrats, and the coarser fur-bearing animals are not decreasing 

 to any appreciable extent. 



The staff of the Department, Inspectors, Wardens, Overseers, Deputy Game 

 and Fishery Wardens have been as in past years faithful and efficient in the dis- 

 charge of their respective duties. 



It is again a pleasure to extend my sincere thanks to the employees of the 

 Department of the Honorable the Attorney-General and the Honourable the Minister 

 of Lands and Mines for their very valuable assisitanee and effective co-operation 

 during the year. 



Re-stocking. 



This important work was continued this year with good results. The experi- 

 ence in raising bass fingerlings is most encouraging and every year is bound to 

 improve. Another pond was added to those already built, which was erected under 

 the supervision of Mr. Edwards, who has been in charge of the bass ponds since 

 they were first started. He has shown much ability in this direction, as well aa 

 in the raising of bass fingerlings, and the Department is now assured that his ap- 

 pointment to this position was a wise one. 



It was the intention to erect a small hatchery for brook trout, for the purpose 

 of re-stocking many of the once excellent trout streams in the Province, whicli 

 have now become depleted. It is to be regretted that circumstances preyented the 

 carrying out of these plans, but it is to be hoped that during the coming year thifi 



