1934 ANNUAL REPORT, 1933 5 



Pheasants (Ring-necked). — The work of propagation of these birds in 

 connection with re-stocking operations conducted by the Department was 

 continued at the Codrington Bird Farm. During the year eleven hundred 

 and eight settings of fifteen eggs each were distributed to applicants through- 

 out the Province, principally in the southern counties, while a total of 

 eighteen hundred and forty-seven live birds were liberated in suitable 

 locations. At the present time the pheasant is to be found in increasing 

 numbers and in a wider distribution in the most southerly counties abutting 

 Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the River St. Lawrence, and in the counties 

 farther north in the southwestern section. The ability with which this bird 

 has adapted itself to conditions in these areas has been a source of gratifi- 

 cation, and the possibilities which are to be afforded as a result of its 

 establishment are being recognized more and more. The co-operation which 

 has been rendered in this work by the interested landowner and the assist- 

 ance which has been forthcoming are worthy of our appreciation as without 

 this co-operation and assistance the establishment of this species would have 

 presented a more difficult problem. The results obtained from experi- 

 mental shipments of eggs to sections of the north would indicate that exist- 

 ing climatic conditions will prove a handicap sufficient to definitely limit 

 our endeavours along these lines in that section. Favourable conditions 

 were responsible for the provision of an open season, limited as to period 

 and area in which it was effective. 



Hungarian Partridge. — Operations as to the establishment of this bird 

 will differ from those which apply to the ring-necked pheasant. The 

 Hungarian partridge does not lend itself to establishment through the 

 medium of egg distribution, but should rather be hatched, raised to ma- 

 turity, and liberated in areas where suitable environment is available. The 

 work of raising these birds is carried on at the Normandale Bird Farm, and 

 during the year we distributed nine hundred and ten such birds in various 

 sections of the Province. This species is more adaptable to our general 

 weather conditions than is the pheasant, with the result that distribution 

 has been undertaken in Northern Ontario, as well as in the southern sec- 

 tion. The reports from areas where these birds have been stocked are to 

 the effect that their numbers have increased following the distribution. 



Rabbits. — In Southern Ontario it would appear that there has been a 

 reduction in the number of the snowshoe rabbit, and conditions are not as 

 favourable as they have been in more recent years; conditions as they apply 

 to the cotton-tail rabbit remain about the same, with possibly some evidence 

 of decrease in the eastern section; the jack-rabbit found in the south- 

 western section is reported to be reduced in numbers. Reports from the 

 northern portion of the Province indicate improvement and some increase 

 in numbers. 



FURS 



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

 animals throughout the Province as they have been reported to the Depart- 

 ment. 



Bear. — Conditions about the same with possible increase in numbers 

 to be found in some outlying sections. 



Beaver. — Decline in annual catch continues. Slight improvement 

 observed in area south of the mal i transcontinental line of the Canadian 

 National Railway in which entire clo^e season prevails. 



Fisher. — General conditions arc nq*" favourable and their numbers 

 appear to be scarce and possibly diminishii, g. Annual catch small. 



