CANVAS BACK. 



(^ IVEN the proper kind of food, there is no Duck, save 

 perhaps occasionally the Red Head, that can equal 

 this splendid species in the delicate quality and flavor of 

 its flesh, and as a game bird and for the sport it affords to 

 the gunner, there is no Water Fowl worthy of being men- 

 tioned with this one, so deservedly known as the Royal 

 Canvas Back. Exclusively an American species, hav- 

 ing nothing in the Old World that can even be said to 

 represent it, the Canvas Back ranges over all North 

 America, and breeds from upper California, amid the 

 lakes and water courses of the mountains, in eastern 

 Oregon in similar lofty situations, and in some other 

 States on our northern border, to and throughout the 

 Arctic regions probably to the sea. It is not found, 

 however, on the Pacific coast north of \^ancouver Island. 

 At different points on the Yukon it breeds in great num- 

 bers, and probably its main nesting ground is in that 

 northern latitude. The places within the limits of the 

 United States suitable for this Duck to rear its young 

 unmolested will probably grow fewer and fewer, until in 

 a brief period it will have to rely altogether upon Arc- 

 tic solitudes for that protection and freedom from in- 

 trusion so necessary at this important period of the 

 bird's existence. The bottom of the Canvas Back's 

 nest is formed of rushes and grasses situated in 

 the water, and is then built up with high sides and lined 

 with down and feathers. It is continually being added 

 to while the bird is laying, and when the female is ready 

 to commence incubating, it has grown to be consider- 



