332 FEATHERED GAME 



at various points among the Rocky mountains. 

 The greater number nest far away in the north, 

 perhaps even to the shores of the Arctic seas. 

 It is a very fine bird from the sportsman's 

 standpoint, usually decoying well, always fly- 

 ing fast and carrying lead off bravely. 



About the month of October the Canvasbacks 

 begin to arrive in the waters of the Atlantic 

 seaboard and scatter all along the coast line 

 from Long Island Sound to Texas. Some few 

 even go to Central America. These birds keep 

 together in large flocks both in the migrations 

 and on the feeding grounds. They are said to 

 be very wary and difficult of approach, placing 

 sentinels during their resting and their feeding 

 hours. They are expert swimmers and in their 

 feeding they dive constantly, getting nearly all 

 their food from the bottom. They can swim 

 long distances beneath the surface, and, like 

 the ''surf-" and "sea-ducks," dive instantly 

 when wounded, in an attempt to escape under 

 water. 



These are probably the most highly valued 

 by the sportsman of any of the duck family. 

 Wlien after a season of feeding on the ''wild 

 celery" their flesh is in prime condition they 



