GAME PRESERVATION IN DOMINION PARKS 131 



hopes of a success as complete as that obtained in the preservation of 

 the buffalo. 



Creation Action has also been taken by the Branch in the crea- 



of Bird tion of more bird sanctuaries throughout Canada. 



Sanctuaries fj^g United States now boasts some 65 bird sanctu- 



aries, but Canada, which is the breeding place for hundreds of varieties 

 of bird life, possesses only one. This is a reserve set aside in 1887 

 for the protection of wild fowl in the neighbourhood of Long lake, 

 Sask. The islands and shores of this lake have long been favourite 

 breeding grounds for many varieties of wild fowl and it is interesting 

 to observe that, so long ago as 1887, the Government recognized the 

 importance of protecting bird life. 



A large number of areas were recently visited by a parks officer 

 who has reported tentatively as to their suitability for bird sanctuaries 

 and, pending further investigation, 23 areas, 12 in Saskatchewan and 

 11 in Alberta, have been reserved by the Department. It is expected 

 that the majority of these and others which may be selected, will be 

 declared bird sanctuaries and will be properly protected and patrolled. 



Reservation Respecting the proposed bird reservation on point 



on Point Pelee, this spot — the most southerly point in Ontario 



^ *' — has long been a favourite bird resort. It is in the 



direct line of migration and thousands of birds of numerous species 

 visit it in their migratory flights. In addition, owing to its southerly 

 situation, many species, unknown elsewhere in Canada, have been 

 found there. This point of land is already the property of the Crown, 

 under the administration of the Ordnance Lands Branch of the Dept. 

 of the Interior. Unfortunately, much of the coast line has been dis- 

 posed of to summer residents and others, but enough still remains to 

 establish an effective bird sanctuary. The Minister has already 

 approved the principle of the Parks Branch taking over this area and 

 administering it as a Dominion park. To bring it under our protective 

 regulations, all that remains, therefore, is the tranter of adminis- 

 tration from the one ^Branch to the other and an Order in Council 

 proclaiming it a Dominion park. 



Convention The Parks Branch has been asked to report, as was 



Mi^attfry ^^^° *^'® Commission and the Dept. of Agriculture, on 



Birds the proposed convention between Great Britain and 



the United States respecting the protection of migratory birds. All 

 the provinces of the Dominion, whose cooperation is essential to the 

 success of such a convention, were asked for their opinion regarding 

 the proposed treaty. Favourable replies as to the principle were 



