51 



some splendid shooting can be had, and anybody going to the 

 north ought to be prepared for a day or two after them. There 

 are two or three varieties of these birds; the one that is found 

 in the greatest number is the rock-ptarmigan, a very small bird 

 that often goes in flocks of a hundred or more. They are found high 

 up on the mountains, and are generally too tame to afl'ord much sport. 

 The black-tailed ptarmigan is, however, a bird for the sports- 

 man ; he is a little larger than the above-mentioned variety, and 

 is found lower down the mountains. He inhabits the scrub-willow 

 bottoms, and wherever there is a little water these birds will be 

 found. They are not so numerous as the other species, but are 

 wilder, and on a stormy day fly well, and will tax the skill of the 

 best of shots. 



PHEASANTS. 



The Chinese ring-necked pheasant was imported into British 

 Columbia in the year 1882, and has thrived so remarkably well that 

 there has been excellent shooting for a number of years. Two 

 years ago some pure-bred [Mongolians were imported and kept in 

 captivity for breeding, with the result that some 1,500 birds of 

 this species have been turned out to introduce new blood. They 

 are a great success here, standing the winters better than the 

 Chinese ring-neck, with which they make a splendid cross. 



The best pheasant-shooting is on Vancouver Island, but it is 

 also good in the Lower Fraser \'alley. It must, however, be 

 remembered that most of the land-owners object to people shooting 

 without permission, and many of them preserve their shooting 

 as carefully as they do in England. 



QUAIL. 



Both Californian and mountain quail have been acclimatized 

 on A^ancouver Island, and now furnish excellent sport. There are 

 a few quail on the mainland, but they are not allowed to be shot. 



EUROPEAN PARTRIDGES. 



Partridges were introduced into the Fraser \'alley some years 

 ago, and have done so well that it will not be long before an open 

 season will be allowed. They have lately been introduced to 

 Vancouver Island, and appear to have made a good start. 



BLACK GAME AND CAPERCAILZIE. 



A few of both species were turned out on \'ancouver Island 

 and also on the lower mainland. The number brought out was 

 not sufficient for a fair test, but there are occasional reports of 

 them having been seen, so it is hoped they may prove a success. 



