WILD DUCKS. 291 



the most brilliant birds of the tropics. Sorae of the species 

 of ducks enumerated do not go west of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains in anything like very large teams, the greatest ex- 

 ception being the blue-winged teal, its place beyond that 

 chain being occupied by the cinnamon teal. 



The Fuligulince are both numerous and widely dis- 

 persed, but only a few species have any attractions for the 

 sportsman, as their flesh, owing to the character of their 

 food, is not fit to be eaten. The best known and most 

 highly appreciated is the canvas-back [FuUgula valis- 

 neria), whose gastronomical reputation is higher than 

 that of any other member of its family. It also occupies 

 the most exalted position in the estimation of the lovers 

 of tlie gun, for it is wary, active, and a regular die-hard. 

 The male of this species has a blackish-brown head, a 

 dusky bill, which is longer than the head, and high at 

 the base; the iris is red; the nostrils are median; it has 

 more light than dark colors, and the black is broken into 

 very small dots. This species is alnmdant everywhere in 

 the West and Southwest, and is slaughtered in every con- 

 ceivable manner from toling to ''sneak-boxing," "jump- 

 ing," "fire-hunting," and "blind" shooting. Huge 

 swivel guns were formerly used in its destruction, but 

 these have been sui)pressed by law in some places, and 

 any person using them now is liable to fine or imprison- 

 ment. The birds seem to have become aware of this fact 

 by some system of reasoning, for they frequently keep 

 within range of these demi-cannons, quack their defiance 

 at the pot-hunters, and seem to say, "Fire, if you dare; 

 if you do you'll get ten days; Just try your old gun; we 

 don't care for you, anyhow," and duck words of similar 

 import. Where the law is not enforced against the bat- 

 teries, enormous numbers of ducks are killed at long 

 range, and this makes the survivors so wild that it is al- 

 most impossible to get a shot at them with a shoulder 

 gun. Another mean device invented by man for their 



