18 



received from this same source where such great opportunities 

 are offered from time to time on the periodical trips of the 

 sportsman to the lake, river or woods in search of game. A 

 great majority of reports received from this source are upset 

 by the slightest scientific investigation. Yet it is surely plain 

 that a slight scientific knowledge of the species we are pursuing 

 would prove valuable to every sportsman in assisting him in 

 securing his game, and the knowledge once acquired costs noth- 

 ing to carry about and it becomes lighter as the material in- 

 creases. I can only say with John Burroughes, that eminent 

 field naturalist and sportsman, about the observation of nature 



" There is a fascination about it quite overpowering. It fits^ 

 so well with other things, fishing, hunting, farming, camping 

 out, with all that takes us to the field and woods. One may go 

 berry picking and make a rare discovery or driving a cow to 

 pasture may hear a new song or make a new observation. 

 Secrets lurk everywhere. There is news in every bush. What 

 no man ever saw before you may see. What a new interest the 

 woods have ; how you long to explore every corner." 



To these remarks I can only add : make records of your 

 observations on paper. Don't trust to memory, it may deceive 

 you. Tell your friends your observations that you may learn 

 from discussion what is regular and what is irregular. We 

 need never be afraid of seeing too much or of learning every- 

 thing. To see the beauty and the life will often humble our 

 proud spirits or prove refreshing and helpful when wordly 

 cares press heavily upon us. 



LIST OF LOCAL SPECIES. 



The following is the list of the local species of the three orders, 

 as complete as can be secured at the present time : 



OKDER AN SERES. 

 Family Anatidce. 



Sub-family Mergince : 



American Mergamser— Merganser Americana. 

 , Red Breasted Merganser — Merganser serrator. 

 Hooded Merganser — Hophodytes oucidlatiis. 



