48 THE REPOKT JJFO^ . No. 14 



Moose and red deer are as plentiful as ever, but if the hunting season were 

 to open two weeks later it would help to increase them, as there is seldom any 

 snow during the first two weeks in November, but there usually is some during 

 the last two weeks. A great many deer are wounded, but through there not being 

 any snow it is impossible rfco track them and they get away and die. 



Ducks are scarce in this district, but this can be attributed to the lack of feed- 

 ing grounds. Partridge are less plentiful this year than last, proba:bly because of 

 the wet, cold weather during the hatching season. The Overseer is of the opinion 

 that the number allowed each sportsman is too great. 



Fur-bearing animals are rather scarce and are not likely to increase on account 

 of the country 'becoming more thickly populated every day. The licensing of the 

 fur dealers he considers a wise sitep, and he thinks it would be a good idea if the 

 trappers were licensed, even if the fee were only 25c. each, as he often meete men 

 in the woods with guns who claim to be trappers. 



Middlesex County. 



Overseer William Boler, of Byron, reports that a Game Protective Association 

 was formed last November in his district. There are seventy members living in 

 the Townships of Westminster, Delaware, and London, whose aim it is to encour- 

 age the protection of game of all kinds. 



Partridges are rarer than ever, also quail. Black squirrels and cotton-tail 

 rabbits are increasing. Wild geese and ducks are about the same as usual. He 

 suggests that people who live in towns and come out to the country to shoot 

 should be obliged to take out a license for which the fee might be ^2 per annum. 

 This would help to protect the game. 



Overseer W. E. Collins, of Strathroy, reports that fishing was good in his 

 district last year. Pike and pickerel were fine. 



Rabbits and black and grey squirrels are quite plentiful. There are not many 

 quail in his division. During September there were a few partridge. Muskrats 

 are quite plentiful. Mink, raccoon and fox are scarce. 



Overseer Arthur Corsant, of Masonville, reports that angling was very fair 

 for a part of the season, but on August 12th there was a slaughter of fish for 

 many miles west of the -City of London. He does not think there was one fish 

 left alive in the river for twelve miles west of London. The water seemed to be 

 polluted with some strong drug or acid, for it turned a black colour. The trouble 

 might arise from a number of sources, one of which is the sewer from the city 

 which empties into the river. 



Game is very scarce in this district. Black squirrels are slightly on the 

 increase, but mink and muskrats are very scarce. He is of the opinion that 

 squirrels, quail and partridge should have a close season for three years, which 

 would greatly increase the numbers. 



Overseer J. M. Temple, of Dorchester, reports that gaine fish are scarce iu 

 his district as none come up the river. All there are, are bred in the river east 

 of London on account of the fish slides not being in proper order. There being 

 no fishway in the Hout Dam in the City of London, the fish cannot ascend 

 the river. All other fish are scarce. 



Game is quite scarce. There are a few ruffed grouse or native partridges. 

 Quail is almost a bird of the past, and ducks are very scarce. There are very 



