THE WILD FOWL OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 353 



in some localities, through wanton and reckless destruction. To effect the desired 

 result, more stringent laws are necessary, a more rigid enforcement of those we 

 have, and a more thorough supervision everywhere. 



The territory embraced by the Thousand Islands and the foot of Lake Ontario 

 is practically the game center of the region to which I have alluded; since every 

 species of wild fowl known to those localities will be found within its borders at 

 one time or another during the season. The object, therefore, of this article 

 is to briefly notice the different species of fowl and shore birds that yet breed 

 here, or make it a resort at their usual periods. 



I am glad that I am able to state that the species common here are still 

 numerous, notwithstanding the encroachments of civilization in the way of 

 summer cottages iipon the shores and islands of the lakes and rivers, with all the 

 accompanying accessories of innumerable water craft, from the great steamer 

 down to the steam and motor yacht, the launch and skiff, which are constantly 

 increasing every season among our watering places. 



Indeed, no better proof is needed of the adaptability of this region to the 

 habits of wild fowl than the fact that, despite the difficulties and, to them, 

 dangers of constant encroachments upon their haunts, they instinctively return 

 thereto year after year to rear their young, and then fall a prey, perchance, to 

 the enthusiastic sportsmen; and, too often, I am sorry to say, to the greed of the 

 mere pot hunter. 



In the following notes I have confined myself to the briefest descriptions, for 

 which I am mainly indebted to the "Color Key to North American Birds" and 

 "Birds of Eastern North America," by Frank M. Chapman; and to Mr. James 

 E. Stanley, of Cape Vincent, N. Y., a noted taxidermist and an enthusiastic 

 ornithologist, for the privilege of verifying some of the descriptions by an exami- 

 nation of many of the exquisite specimens with which his cases are liberally 

 supplied. I am also indebted to Mr. C. T. Sacket, also of Cape Vincent, for the 

 privilege of research through his extensive library, to me a source of great 

 satisfaction. 



I am also indebted, in some measure, to Gurdon Trumbull's "Names and Por- 

 traits of Birds," more especially for the scientific names, although in some instances 

 I have followed Mr. Chapman in that respect, because his classification seemed 

 to me to be the most logical. I make no claim, however, to any expert 

 knowledge of bird nomenclature; so, where the "doctors disagreed," I have 

 chosen — it may be neither "wisely nor well" — and I trust I am not far wrong. 

 I am also much indebted to "Our Feathered Game," by that entertaining writer 

 and sportsman, Dwight W. Huntington. 

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