In Quebec, still life enjoyed undeniable success with art lovers and collectors in the second half of the 19th century. And in this very varied genre, still lifes of small game and fish occupy a very special place. Marks of social status for sporting bourgeois, these works served as real hunting or fishing trophies. These still lifes obviously feature a large part of local species: hares, pheasants, grouse, partridges, woodcocks, pigeons, ducks, quails, salmon, eels, trout, etc.,[...]

In painting, the genre takes off around 1850-1860 to develop and reach its peak at the turn of the century, notably with Louis Saint-Hilaire, Charles Huot, Charles Gill and Joseph Saint-Charles. Recognized for his still lifes of all kinds, Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté was not to be outdone by devoting himself, from the start of his career, to the specific genre of game. Providing a clientele fond of this subject, Suzor-Coté produces works in both pastel and oil representing mainly dead wild birds - ducks, partridges, and woodcocks. -Béland, M. (2001). Still lifes with woodcock. Cap-aux-Diamants, (64), 59–59. (translated from French) https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/8398ac