DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES 



17,730 eggs forwarded to applicants for the same, whose co-operation in the matter 

 of hatching the eggs and raising the chicks represent a degree of assistance the 

 value of which it would be difficult to estimate, and without which co-operation, 

 the successful establishment of the bird would undoubtedly have been retarded. 



Hungarian Partridg-e — The work of establishing this bird has not progressed 

 in a degree which is in any way comparable with the results obtained in our experi- 

 ments with the pheasant. Up to the present time any propagation of these birds on 

 the Department's Bird Farm devoted to this work, has been very limited and 

 nothing which might be termed in any way successful. During the year reported 

 on no general distribution of these birds was undertaken, only twenty birds being 

 liberated. The remainder of the available stock was retained for liberation during 

 a more favourable season. 



Rabbits — There would appear to be general indications that these animals are 

 decreasing in number, though they are reported still to be fairly numerous and 

 afford good hunting in some localities, particularly the western counties. 



At this point it might be well to observe that to the unusually dry seasons 

 of 1933 and 1934 as well as to the extremely severe weather conditions which pre- 

 vailed during the winter of 1933-34, might be assigned a large proportion of the 

 responsibility for some of the unfavourable conditions which existed in respect of 

 our game animals and birds, and more particularly deer and partridge. 



FURS 



Conditions as they affect fur-bearing animals throughout the Province, and 

 as they have been reported to the Department, may be summarized as follows: — 



Bear — Would appear to be increasing in number, particularly in Northern 

 Ontario. 



Beaver — Conditions would appear to show some improvement throughout the 

 closed area, i.e. south of the main transcontinental line of the Canadian National 

 Railway. 



Fisher — This species is extremely scarce and its numbers possibly decreasing. 

 Conditions are not at all favourable. 



Fox — Conditions vary. Reported to be decreasing in Southern Ontario, while 

 increasing numbers are indicated in reports from Northern Ontario. Annual catch 

 shows considerable increase. 



Lynx — While the annual catch as set forth in this report shows a considerable 

 increase, the reports indicate that this species is extremely scarce and that condi- 

 tions as they apply here do not show much, if any, improvement. 



Marten — Very scarce, and still declining. The annual catch of this species is 

 practically negligible. 



Mink — Annual catch showed quite an increase over that of previous year. Some 

 improvement, particularly in the north. 



Mnskrat — The catch of this stand-by of the fur-bearers showed a large decrease. 

 Conditions in southern Ontario are not so favourable, though improvement is reported 

 from Northern Ontario. 



