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This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est fiimd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X ails du idifier une nage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. Ail other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. 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Tous les autres exemplalres originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iilustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — *> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seui cliche, il est film6 d partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammas suivants illustrent la mdthode. rata □ lelure, 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 / TRANSACTION NO. 51 APRIL 14TH, 1898 The Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba The Game Birds OF HANITOBA EJY George E. Atkinson A Corresponding Member of the Society Skortt F , WINNIPEG THE MANITOBA FREE PRESS COMPANY 1896 SV^Or.T^ 3355 ■ ^*^^ai8^£ir%^,. t-'^- PEDIOCETES PHASIANKIJ-US (Sharp-tailed Grouse, or Old Manitoba Prairie Chicken) \ THE GAME BIRDS OF MANITOBA. The Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba met in the City Hall, Winnipeg, on the evening of April 14th, 1898. The audience present was large and manifested much interest in the proceedings. Chief Factor William Clark, of the Hudson's Bay Company, President of the Society, took the chair. After a number of items of preliminary business had been disposed of, Mr. George E. Atkinson, of Portage la Prairie, read his paper on " The Game Birds of Manitoba," which was illustrated by specimens of a number of the birds referred to. Mr. Atkinson said : The science of Ornithology is one which shows striking results of great interest and practical value, if it be studied aright. Herein we look upon those forms of life which consti- tute a connecting link between reptiles and mammals, in that highest branch of the animal kingdom, the Vertebrata. To Aves nature permits a wider range than to any other member of the sub-kingdom. The birds are equally at home on land or water, have " dominion of the air," and possess a powei" of loco- motion through space in a manner impossible to other forms. OUR GAME BIRDS. By our game birds we mean those birds which are sought after for the double purpose of affording sport to the hunter and meat to the larder. The serving of these purposes having been regarded by the majority of sportsmen as the only interest or value of our game birds, it must not be wondered at that little time has ever been given to look for other interesting or valuable qualities beyond a sufficient knowledge of the surest methods of capture and the choicest varieties for the table. It is the lack of authentic knowledge, consequent on the lack of interest manifest, which has allowed so many ridiculous stories about our most familiar species to remain un- challenged by mon who should know the truth on account of experience, but who do not know because of defective observa- tions and interests. I trust that T may be able to show that the suVyect is exceedingly interesting from «lifFerent standpoints, and yet little can be explained in one pai)cr in proportion to what is to be known and which should be known by every man who has interest enough in sport to take a gun in hand and go in pursuit of game. It is the intention of this paper to deal almost entirely with the orders, as time and space do not permit of an investi- gation of individual species, I. SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT. The systematic or Alphabetical standpoint is that whicli names our subjects, classifies them into Orders, Families, Genera, and species, according to their diversity of form, coloration or habitat; traces th 3 general relations of all forms to each other, and is the centre of the investigations of the evolutionists. In dealing with our game birds from this standpoint of view, therefore, we first perceive that they are grouped into three orders, with a total local repr-esentation of 78 species, viz. : Anseres, including ducks, geese, and swans, with 37 repre- sentative species. Lwiicolae, including snipe, sandpipers, and plovers, with 36 representative species. Gallinae, including grouse, quail and turkeys, with 7 local species. A comparison of the three orders shows that the order Anseres are all birds adapted to aquatic life, the Gallinae for life on dry land, while Limicol