THE GAME BIRDS OF MANITOBA. 



The Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba met in the 

 City Hall, Winnipeg, on the evening of April 14th, 1898. The 

 audience present was large and manifested much interest in the 

 proceedings. Chief Factor William Clark, of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, President of the Society, took the chair. After a 

 number of items of preliminary business had been disposed of, 

 Mr. George E. Atkinson, of Portage la Prairie, read his paper on 

 " The Game Birds of Manitoba," which was illustrated by 

 specimens of a number of the birds referred to. Mr. Atkinson 

 said : 



The science of Ornithology is one which shows striking 

 results of great interest and practical value, if it be studied 

 aright. Herein we look upon those forms of life which consti- 

 tute a connecting link between reptiles and mammals, in that 

 highest branch of the animal kingdom, the Yertebrata. To 

 Aves nature permits a wider range than to any other member of 

 the sub-kingdom. The birds are equally at home on land or 

 water, have " dominion of the air," and possess a power of loco- 

 motion through space in a manner impossible to other forms. 



OUR GAME BIRDS. 



By our game birds we mean those birds which are sought 

 after for the double purpose of affording sport to the hunter and 

 meat to the larder. The serving of these purposes having been 

 regarded by the majority of sportsmen as the only interest or 

 value of our game birds, it must not be wondered at that little 

 time has ever been given to look for other interesting or valuable 

 qualities beyond a sufficient knowledge of the surest methods of 

 capture and the choicest varieties for the table. 



It is the lack of authentic knowledge, consequent on the 

 lack of interest manifest, which has allowed so many 

 ridiculous stories about our most familiar species to remain un- 



