CANVAS-BACK DUCK. Ill 



the same time when a pair of legitimate Canvas-backs, proudly exhibited 

 from the mail-coach, from Ilavre-de-Grace, readily sold for two dollars 

 and fifty cents, a pair of the identical species, as fat, as heavy, as deli- 

 cious, but which had been unfortunately killed in the Delaware, brought 

 only one dollar, and the lucky shooter thought himself sufficiently 

 rewarded in obtaining twenty-five per cent, more for his Red-necks than 

 he could obtain for a pair of the finest Mallards that our waters could 

 afford. But the delusion is now passed ; every shooter and huckster 

 knows the distinctive characters of the Canvas-back and the Red-head ; 

 and prejudice no longer controverts the opinion that this species is a 

 common inhabitant of the Delaware ; and epicures are compelled to 

 confess that they can discern no difference between our Canvas-back, 

 when in season, and that from Spesutie, or Carroll's Island, the notorious 

 shooting ground of the bon-vivants of Baltimore. 



The last-mentioned place, though commonly termed an island, is pro- 

 perly a peninsula, situated on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, 

 a few miles from Baltimore. It is a spot highly favorable for the 

 shooting of water fowl. It extends for a considerable distance into the 

 bay ; and, being connected to the main land by a naiTow neck, the 

 shooters are enabled to post themselves advantageously on the isthmus, 

 and intercept the fowl, who, in roving from one feeding ground to 

 another, commonly prefer crossing the land to taking a long flight 

 around the peninsula. In calm weather the shooters have not much 

 luck, the Ducks keeping out in the coves, and, when they do move, fly- 

 ing high ; but should a fresh breeze prevail, especially one from the 

 eastward, rare sport may be anticipated ; and it is no unusual circum- 

 stance for a party of four or five gentleman, returning home, after a 

 couple of days' excursion, with fifty or sixty Canvas-backs, besides 

 some other Ducks of inferior note. The greatest flight of Ducks com- 

 monly takes place between daybreak and sunrise, and while it lasts the 

 roaring of the fowling pieces, the bustle of the sportsmen, the fluttering 

 of the fowl, and the plunging of the dogs, constitute a scene productive 

 of intense interest. The dog in most esteem for this amusement is a 

 large breed, partaking of the qualities of the Newfoundland variety. 

 They trust altogether to their sight, and it is astonishing what sagacity 

 they will manifest in watching a flock of Ducks that had been shot at, 

 and marking the birds that drop into the water, even at a considerable 

 distance off. When at fault, the motion of their master's hand is 

 readily obeyed by them ; and when unable to perceive the object of 

 their search, they will raise themselves in the water for this purpose, 

 and will not abandon the pursuit while a chance remains of succeeding. 

 A generous, well-trained dog, has been known to follow a Duck for 

 more than half a mile ; and, after having been long beyond the reach 

 of seeing or hearing his master, to return, pufiing and snorting under 



