15 



three inches in length, while I have frequently taken thirty or 

 forty small fish from the thi'oat of a common mallard (Anas 

 boschas), which had been shot while feeding in a millpond or a 

 small stream. The retiring of these birds consequent on the 

 advance of civilization, causing them to seek food in open water, 

 will induce many at present non -fish-eating to accept the same 

 diet, and much more damage will be done our food fishes in this 

 manner than can ever be done with nets, which do not take the 

 spawn or fry. From these facts we may see that the ducks are 

 not beneficial to agriculture, and they are certainly injurious to 

 our fisheries to an extent which will not decrease with the 

 advance of civilization. If evidence of damage done be carefully 

 estimated, then we shall see whether the valuable food fish des- 

 troyed is less than the value of game to the fastidious epicure, 

 and whether the birds should be still protected in their depre- 

 dations. 



Geese and swans are strictly migratory with us. Although 

 much damage was once done to growing crops by the immense 

 flocks of snow geese (wavies), and this is the cause of their 

 having no protection as game at present, the settlement of the 

 country has greatly reduced the numbers of these birds, and in 

 the greater part of Manitoba they may be considered as a 

 neutral order or injurious in comparison to their numbers. 



IV. THE SENTIMENTAL ASPECT. 



We now arrive at the concluding standpoint, namely, the 

 sentimental, or that through which the the beauty and perfec- 

 tion of nature and the majesty of the Creator appeal to and 

 direct our lives through our intercourse with nature. This can 

 scarcely be considered a scientific point of view, since many 

 eminent though matter-of-fact scientists argue that true science 

 will not permit of sentiment. But herein we distinguish be- 

 tween a naturalist and a matter-of-fact scientist, as sentiment is 

 born in man. 



This is the sunny pathway of the student of nature ; he 

 fairly revels in it, and for this reason a few sentimental obser- 

 vations from a sentimental naturalist will not be considered out 



