THE GAME BIRDS OF CANADA. 115 



mention the curious fact that, notwithstanding the pre- 

 sence of so many of our common birds in Canada, 

 the ubiquitous sparrow is unknown there. I have 

 encountered its familiar plumage in Egypt and at 

 the Cape, and abundantly in Madras, Malabar, and 

 Bombay, where hardly any other British birds are 

 known, yet in Canada where so many abound, it is 

 entirely absent. 



Of all the feathered inhabitants of the forest there are 

 but three of any importance; but these belong to the 

 highest class of game-birds, namely, the Wild-Turkey, 

 the Spotted-Grouse, and the Ruffed-Grouse. 



The beautiful and game little Colin is abundant in the 

 thickets and broken ground of the Upper Province ; 

 Woodcock and Snipe swarm in the young woods and 

 swampy coverts throughout the country ; myriads of 

 wild-fowl, such as can be seen in few other lands, 

 cover the face of the broad lakes and noble rivers; and 

 the Prairie-Hen, though not properly belonging to the 

 game-birds of Canada, ranges the vast plains north and 

 south of its frontiers, within a distance so easy of access, 

 that to omit it would be to ignore a sport which few real 

 lovers of shooting leave Canada without having indulged 

 in. 



The singular discrepancy that has hitherto existed 

 between the two Provinces of Canada, as to the seasons 



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