decoy, or stool-pigeon, and nets. Thousands are often taken in this way
during seed-time in the spring. When I first resided in the township of
Douro, the pigeons used to be very plentiful at that time, their chief
breeding-place being in the township of Fenelon, in a direct line west
from my residence, some forty or fifty miles. And yet, soon after day-
light, they would be passing eastward over my clearing, so vast is
their swiftness and strength on the wing.

It is a curious fact that, although thousands passed daily for many
days in succession, yet not one of them returned by the same route they
went. I have been informed that this breeding-place has been deserted
for several years, owing to the settlements having approached too near
to please the winged possessors.

This satisfactorily accounts for the decrease I have noticed amongst
these feathered denizens of the forest, during the last seven or eight
years. In consequence of their having been disturbed, they have sought
a more remote breeding-place. I am not at all certain whether this
decrease is general through the province; but I feel quite convinced
that, as civilization increases, all kinds of birds and wild animals
will become less numerous, with the exception of crows and mice, which
are greatly on the increase. Rats also have been imported, and appear
to thrive well in the towns; though, I am happy to say, they have not
found their way into my township yet--and long may they be ignorant of
my location.

There is also another animal, which I think is more numerous than
formerly--I mean the black squirrel. These pretty little creatures are
very destructive amongst the Indian-corn crops. I have seen them
carrying off a whole cob of corn at once, which I will be bound to say