ANNUAL REPORT, 1934 



Doer — In the extreme northwestern portion of the Province, including Rainy 

 River and Kenora Districts, conditions are generally favourable, though in the 

 balance of the northern portion, that is, north and west of the French and Mattawa 

 Rivers there was a very noticeable decline in the numbers of these animals. So 

 far as Southern Ontario is concerned there are evidences of some increase in num- 

 bers in the western and eastern counties in which these animals are protected by 

 an entire closed season, and while there is no immediate cause for concern as to the 

 present conditions, in the northern counties and districts of this southern Division 

 reports indicate that these animals are not any more than holding their own, and 

 possibly suffered a decline during the period under review. 



Moose — Few of these animals are to be noticed in the southern portion of the 

 Province, and in which section they are protected by an entire closed season, while 

 in Northern Ontario some slight improvement in their condition is indicated by the 

 reports. 



Caribon — There are but very few and scattered herds of these animals, and 

 only in the north. No evidence of any improvement in their condition, and the pres- 

 ent protection which the regulations provide is apparently necessary. 



Elk (wapiti) — Introduced into the Province in 1932 and 1933 from western 

 Canada, with the co-operation of the National Parks Branch of the Federal Depart- 

 ment of the Interior. Herds at present located on the following Game Preserves, — 

 Pembroke, Burwash, Goulais River-Ranger Lake, Chapleau and Nipigou-Ouaman. 



Kuffled Grouse (Partridge) — These birds were reported to be not plentiful in 

 practically every section of the Province. 



Sharp-tailed Grouse (Prairie Chicken) — Found only in Northern and North- 

 western Ontario, where their numbers have been largely reduced. 



Ptarniig'an — Exist only in the extreme northern portion of the Province. Con- 

 ditions fairly good in areas in v.hich they are adaptable. 



Quail — While these birds are to be noticed in various portions of southern 

 Ontario, they are not very prevalent except in the extreme southwestern counties, 

 where they are found in increasing numbers. 



Ducks — The various species of ducks were not so numerous, particularly in 

 Southern Ontario, though from Northern Ontario the reports would indicate little 

 change during flight from conditions as they existed in previous years. 



Plover and Snipe — No general improvement is reported concerning these birds, 

 though there is some scattered local improvement as regards snipe. Very scarce 

 throughout the Province. 



Pheasants (Ring-necked) — These birds have very definitely established them- 

 selves in the western, southern and eastern counties of the Province, particularly 

 those adjacent to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the River St. Lawrence, and where 

 conditions are favourable to their existence. Reports, however, indicate that pre- 

 vailing weather conditions in the more northerly counties and districts of Southern 

 Ontario are not suitable for this species. Favourable conditions were responsible 

 for the provision of an open season, limited as to period and area in which it was 

 effective. The work of distributing live birds and eggs was continued from the 

 Bird Farm at Codrington. Some 696 birds were liberated in various localities and 



