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April and remain until the tenth of June, when they resume their flight to the Arctic zone. In the fall, they arrive about the fifth of October and remain until the severity of the weather warns them to start for their winter quarters in the Carolinas. They appear to be exceedingly shy and will not approach the land as the wild geese do. They are becoming more numerous since spring shooting was prohibited in the Atlantic States.

Black
Duck

The black duck is by far the largest, most numerous and most valuable of the ducks which breed on, or visit, the Island. They are well distributed throughout the Province and have greatly increased in numbers during the last five years, in consequence of the better protection they have been accorded. Experiment has demonstrated that they are easily attracted to, and retained in, any ponds or marshes, by simply sowing therein wild rice, which they eagerly devour.

Other
Ducks

A great many species of the duck family visit the Province in their migrations. A number also breed on the Island.

The chief species are as follows:

Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Pintail, American Scaup, Lesser Scaup. American Golden-eye, Barrow's Golden-eye, Bufflehead, Cockawie, Scoter, Whitewinged Scoter, and Sea Coot.

Rabbits

Owing to the long open season when so many of them are shot or snared and, also, on account of winters with which they have to contend, these animals have not increased in numbers. From present appearances, if something is not done to conserve them they will become extinct.

Open
Seasons

For Game

Partridge, from October 1st to November 30th. All wild ducks, from August 20th to December 31st. Woodcock and snipe, from September 1st to December 31st. Wild geese, from September 15th to May 10th. Brant, from October 1st to June 10th. Curlew and plover, from July 15th to December 31st. Rabbits, from September 1st to February 28th.

Licenses

Non-residents are required to take out a game license. The fee is fifteen dollars and the license is good for twelve months from date of issue. A guest license can be obtained for a fee of two dollars, and is good for one week. Sons and brothers of residents, may obtain a license good for one year for a fee of two dollars and a half. Any non-resident owning and paying taxes on property in the Province, of the value of not less than $325, will be granted a game license for a fee of five dollars. These licenses are good for twelve months.

GAME OF NOVA SCOTIA

By J. A. KNIGHT

Chief Game Commissioner of Nova Scotia

The following is a summary account of the condition of the game resources of Nova Scotia, showing in what respects protection has been effective and also indicating where additional restrictive measures are needed:

Moose

The number of moose reported killed in 1908 was 688, while in 1909 it was 405. The number of moose reported killed in 1910 was 464.

Probably about 100 should be added to the above figures for each year for moose not reported, including those illegally killed. The figures for 1908 include both cows and bulls. Beginning in 1909, cows are protected until 1912.

By reducing the length of the open season and by the enactment and enforcement of stricter regulations in other respects, the moose are better protected than they were up to three or four years ago. It is difficult to determine whether or not they are actually increasing in numbers. In some districts where there is an unusual number of skilful hunters who, in one way or another, manage to evade the law restricting the killing to one moose per man, they appear to be decreasing; on the other hand, there are districts where they are reported to be increasing. In the Province as a whole, they are, at least, probably holding their own.

It is too soon to speak positively of the effect of protecting the cows. The market is a great incentive to killing. To prohibit the sale of the meat even for a few years would, no doubt, produce very favourable results.

Caribou

The caribou have almost disappeared from the greater part of the Province. There are still a few herds west of the strait of Canso, but they do not seem to increase in that part of the Province, notwithstanding a close season for eight or ten years. On the island of Cape Breton, however, in the northern portions of Inverness and Victoria counties, they are reported in considerable numbers and probably are not on the decrease there. The caribou are protected until 1912.

Red Deer

Up to about fifteen years ago, there were no red deer in Nova Scotia. Some were then imported and put out in different parts of the Province and a close season for a number of years provided. They have increased until they are now found in considerable numbers in almost all sections of the Province. The stock of deer has been increased in part, no doubt, by migrations from New Brunswick. The red deer are protected until 1912.

Hares

Hares do not seem to require much protection. At intervals of a few years they appear to decrease as the result of disease among them, but soon regain their usual numbers. There are no statistics of the number killed; but they are sold in the markets in large numbers in the open season.

Ruffed
Grouse

Game Birds

There are no statistics of the numbers of game birds killed. The most valuable of these is the ruffed grouse. Owing to favourable weather conditions, as well as stricter regulations, the grouse have increased during the last few years. They were more numerous in the season of 1910 than at any time within fifteen years.

Woodcock and Woodcock and snipe being migratory birds, not much can Snipe be done for their protection. Though reports vary from different districts, probably, on the whole, they are on the decrease.

Ducks and
Geese

Blue-winged teal, sea ducks and wild geese, as well as the smaller shore birds, do not vary much from year to year. They appear to be about as numerous as at any time in recent years.

Small Birds

With the exception of the English sparrow, the small birds, and birds of song, are protected throughout the year. It is probable that they are on the decrease, though there is no reliable information on which to base an estimate of their relative numbers from year to year. The small boy with the gun is the greatest menace to bird life. The most effective measure of protection would be a general gun license.

Fur-bearing Animals

There has hitherto been no way of ascertaining the number of furbearing animals taken. By a recent amendment of the Game Act all packages of fur skins exported are required to be examined and the quantities of each kind certified. Statistics from this source are not yet available.

[graphic]

TROUT TAKEN IN THE TUSKET RIVER AT YARMOUTH, N.S.

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