ANIMAL LIFE ON THE FERTILE BELT. 41 



region is covered thickly with snow, in summer the heat is 

 so great that Indian corn and other cereals, as well as all 

 fruits, ripen with great rapidity. The whole of this fertile 

 region, which now forms part of the Canadian Dominion, is 

 about to be opened to colonization ; and through it will be 

 carried the great high road which will connect the British 

 provinces on the Pacific with those of the Atlantic. 



ANIMAL LIFE ON THE FERTILE BELT. 



Throughout this fine region range large herds of buffalo, — 

 not extending their migrations, however, beyond its northern 

 boundary. Here, too, are found two kind of small deer — the 

 wapiti, and the prong-horned antelope. Hares — called rabbits, 

 however — exist in great numbers. Porcupines are frequently 

 found. The black bear occasionally comes out of the neigh- 

 bouring forests, while a great variety of birds frequent the 

 lakes and streams, whose waters also swarm with numerous 

 fish. The white fish found in the lakes are much esteemed, 

 and weigh from two or three to seven pounds. There are fine 

 pike also. Sturgeon are caught in Lake Winnipeg and the 

 Lower Saskatchewan of the weight of 1 60 pounds. Trout grow 

 to a great size, and there are gold-eyes, suckers, and cat-fish. 

 Unattractive as are the names of the two last, the fish them- 

 selves are excellent. Among the birds, Professor Hind men- 

 tions prairie-hens, plovers, various ducks, loons, and other 

 aquatic birds, besides the partridge, quail, whip-poor-will, hairy 

 woodpecker, Canadian jay, blue jay, Indian hen, and wood- 

 cock. In the mountain region are big-horns and mountain 

 goats ; the grizzly bear often descends from his rugged heights 

 into the plains, and affords sport to the daring hunter. The 

 musk-rat and beaver inhabit the borders of the lakes. The 



