THE PASSING OF THE WILD 305 



the shooting* of these animals, even within the 

 Reserve itself, so that it may, in a sense, 

 be regarded as a bait to bring* them within 

 reach. 



Man is a hunting animal. Where he kills 

 wild animals for sport only, he can be made to 

 pay dearly for his amusement ; his bag can be 

 limited to one or two heads of each animal ; 

 and he can be altogether prevented from shoot- 

 ing* certain creatures that are becoming rare. 

 Where, on the other hand, he kills wild 

 animals to save himself from starvation, it is 

 not only difficult, but would be actually in- 

 human, to put any difficulty in his way. The 

 distinction is well shown in the view which 

 Provincial Governments in Canada take of the 

 porcupine. This familiar animal has many 

 virtues to commend it. It is slow in its move- 

 ments and easily caught. For all its formid- 

 able armour of quills, it is quickly killed by a 

 blow on its sensitive nose. Roasted over a 

 slow fire of leaves and birch-bark, it makes a 

 very excellent dish. To a hungry man who 

 has lost his way in the Canadian forest there 

 can be few more welcome finds, and the 

 authorities are so alive to the value of the 

 "Lost Man's Friend," as it is appropriately 

 called, that a heavy fine is imposed on any- 

 one who kills a porcupine unless he is in need 

 of meat. 



