470 THE CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 



slopes gradually with a slight curve upward to the tip of 

 the rather long and narrow bill, thus strongly characteriz- 

 ing the head as compared with that of other Ducks. The 

 bill is greenish-black; at the base of the bill, on the crown, 

 and down over the back of the rich brownish-red head and 

 neck, is a dusky effect, deepening into fine black in the zone 

 about the breast and upper back; upper parts and sides, 

 white, or grayish-white, with delicate zigzag cross-pencil- 

 ings of black; secondaries darker, but similar; underneath, 

 white; posterior, dark; feet, bluish; iris, carmine. The 

 female is similar, with colors less bright, and markings less 

 distinct. 



Diving deep with utmost readiness, swimming rapidly, 

 straightforward and swift in flight, and exceedingly wary, 

 this species is not easily captured. Rare in New England, 

 and not abundant in the extreme south, its chief winter 

 resort is that famous rendezvous of water-fowl from fall 

 till spring — the Chesapeake Bay with its many rivers. How 

 the Canvas-back is shot here in immense numbers — as well 

 as hosts of other Ducks — from points during flight, by 

 "tolling in" with the aid of dogs running up and down the 

 shore, and thus enticing the birds in from curiosity, from 

 batteries and by paddling stealthily upon them during the 

 night, many w^riters, among sportsmen and ornithologists, 

 have fully described. Very exciting, indeed, it must be to 

 lie concealed on shore, and see the "rafts" of Ducks slowly 

 enticed in, while the little bright-colored dog, aided, it may 

 be, by a red or white handkerchief tied to his tail, runs up 

 and down the bank; or to watch the floating decoys from 

 the box-like battery, sunken to the water's edge far out from 

 shore, and then to fire into the immense flocks, hovering or 

 alighting, as they fly up and down this concourse of waters! 

 The latter mode, however, would seem to be too much like 



