92 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



44. Canvasback. Marila valisneria (Wilson). (147) 



Synonyms: White-back. — Anas valisineria, Wils., 1814. — Fuligula vallisneria, Steph., 

 1824. — Aythya vallisneria, Boie, 1826, and many others. — Aethyia vallisneria, Ridgw., 

 1881. 



The adult male can be confused only with the male Redhead, but is 

 always blackish about the face, chin and crown. In common with the 

 Redhead and Ringneck the adults of both sexes have the pale bluish-gray 

 speculum. For other distinctions see remarks under Redhead. 



Distribution. — Nearly all of North America, breeding from the north- 

 western states northward to Alaska. 



This duck is seen almost invariably in flocks, these gathering often 

 into large companies of many hundred individuals. Like the Redhead 

 this species in Michigan is more common along the Great Lakes than on 

 the ponds and streams of the interior, yet it occurs sparingly in the latter 

 situations. It is one of the earliest ducks to arrive in the spring, appearing 

 usually as soon as the ice goes out, commonly early in March, sometimes 

 even in the last week of February. In the fall it reappears in October 

 and in places where food conditions are favorable may remain until late 

 December. Its favorite food, the "eel-grass" or so-called Avild celery 

 (Vallisneria spiralis) has been planted in several places during recent years 

 and attracts many kinds of ducks. It gives a peculiarly rich flavor to 

 the flesh, and "celeryfed Canvasbacks" are the best of fine eating. As 

 a matter of fact, other ducks which feed on the same plant are nearly or 

 quite as good and it is doubtful if even the expert can discriminate between 

 Canvasback and Redhead, or even Bluebill, if he had no other guide than 

 his palate. Formerly the birds were slaughtered by all sorts of abominable 

 devices, including night floating, punt guns, sail-boats and steam launches, 

 as well as by the more legitimate methods of decoys. At present they are 

 sometimes obtained by "sneaking" or drifting down upon flocks in the 

 open water in a boat more or less concealed by rushes, bushes, and similar 

 disguises, but the greater number are shot from blinds or hiding places 

 over painted wooden decoys. 



Possibly this species once nested in small numbers at St. Clair Flats 

 (Langille, 1879) but we can find no proof that it did so, and certainly at 

 the present time it is altogether unlikely that it nests anywhere within 

 our limits. Its proper breeding grounds are far north, in Manitoba, the 

 Saskatchewan Valley, and Great Slave Lake. Probably the most southern 

 nesting locality is in the northern part of North Dakota, where (in Steele 

 county) Mr. A. C. Bent found a few nests in 1901. These were placed 

 in tall grass, entirely surrounded by water, and were made of grass, dead 

 flags and reeds, and sparingly hned with gray down. Three nests, found 

 June 7 or 8, contained eight, eleven, and eight eggs respectively, one of 

 them containing also four eggs of the Redhead, one three of the Redhead, 

 and the other one of the Ruddy Duck. The Canvasback's eggs are readily 

 distinguished from those of any other species, being a rich grayish olive 

 or greenish drab, of a darker shade than any of the others (Auk, XIX, 11, 

 12). The eggs measure 2.48 by 1.76 inches. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Adult male: Chin, face, and top of head black or blackish shading gradually into rich 

 reddish brown of the rest of the head and neck; chest, upper back and upper breast deep 

 black; back, scapulars, sides and flanks beautifully cross-lined or " vermiculated" with 



