4 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. Q 



14,000 pheasant eggs were distributed to 857 applicants, while live birds liberated 

 at various points last year numbered three hundred and thirty. 



Hungarian Partridge. — The work of propagating this species for establish- 

 ment in this Province is still largely in the experimental stage, being carried on 

 as yet principally at the Bird Farm at Normandale (Norfolk County), and 

 supplemented with such work on a smaller scale at the Bird Farm previously 

 referred to, at Codrington. A few of these birds were also distributed at various 

 points during the year. 



Plover and Snipe. — These birds continue to be very scarce. 



Rabbits. — Conditions fluctuated and while their numbers appear to have 

 decreased in the southwestern counties, in the remainder of the Province, 

 generally speaking, conditions have shown some improvement. 



FURS 



While the total number of pelts taken during 1931 showed an increase over 

 the preceding year, that increase is not a true indication of conditions, as in 

 practically all species save muskrat and mink, the catch showed a considerable 

 decline. Some of the decrease would, of course, be attributable to the fact 

 that there were fewer trappers in the field, the deflated value of pelts probably 

 having an effect in this direction. However, it would appear to be essential 

 that strict observance of all existing trapping and close season regulations 

 should be required and enforced if the present output of fur from this Province 

 is to be maintained, and it is not anticipated that any difficulty will be encount- 

 ered in securing the necessary co-operation to this end, especially in view of the 

 fact that these regulations are neither arduous nor unreasonable. 



The following is a summary of conditions as they apply to fur-bearing 

 animals as reported by District Superintendents: 



Bear.— The number of this species taken again shows some decrease, though 

 conditions as to their existence would indicate increasing numbers, especially 

 in the northern and northwestern sections of the Province. 



Beaver. — Catch shows some decline. Reports this year, as in previous 

 years, indicate increasing numbers in that section of the Province in which the 

 protection of an entire close season is provided, while conditions in that portion 

 of Ontario in which trapping is permitted during an open season point to 

 diminishing numbers therein. 



Fisher. — Catch again shows decrease and it would appear that conditions 

 as they affect this species are unfavourable. Reports are to the effect that 

 numbers are diminishing practically throughout the entire Province. 



Fox. — Catch again shows considerable decline and from reports received 

 the numbers of fox are decreasing in practically every section. 



Lynx. — Very scarce in all sections, with annual catch continuing to decrease. 



Marten. — Very few of this species now taken. Numbers are decreasing in 

 practically all sections, and everywhere they are very scarce. 



Mink. — Conditions respecting this species show slight improvement in 

 some districts, and while their numbers are not too plentiful, more were taken 

 during the year now reported on than in the three previous years. 



