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genus. The Canvass-back Duck returns fronn its breeding place 

 at the North, about the first of November, and during winlerex- 

 tends to tlic southern portion of the sea-coast of the United Slates. 

 It is not un frequently shot in the eastern part of the Great South 

 Bay, and I iiavc known it to be captured in Iiong Island Sound. 

 The majority, however, congregate on the Potomac and Delaware 

 rivers. Those procured in the vicinity of New York are inferior 

 to those obtained on the tributaries of tlic CI">?apeak, owing to the 

 difference in I lie quality of its food. The Canvass-back feeds chief- 

 ly on llie Znslera vaUsneria, (commonly termed " tape or eel gra^=s," 

 and hy some improperly called wild cellery.) whicli lakes its growth 

 in brackish water. We do net wish this jj'ant to bo confounded 

 with the " tape or eel grass.'' Znslera mariii't, wliich furnishes food 

 for the Brent Goose. Wjien its favorite /ood cannot be obtained it 

 feeds on various marine plants and small shell-fish that abound 

 on our coast, wliich furnish an abundant supply of food to many 

 species of inferior note. When the vuNsneria cannot be obtained, 

 its flesh loo.es, in a great measure, that delicacy oi' flavor for 

 which it is so justly celebrated. Like most other species, it is ii> 

 the best condition for the table during ilio latter part of Autumn. 

 The Canvass-back is also fond of wheat. Wilson mentions an in- 

 stance of a vessel loaded with wheat being wrecked at Egg Har- 

 bor, New Jersey. *' Large flocks were attracted to the .«pot : twa 

 hundred and fifty were killed in one day, and sold at twelve and 

 a half cents a pair. The gunners called them 'Sea Ducks,' and 

 were ignorant of their value." The Canvass-back Ducks as.sociatc 

 in largo flocks — when rising from the water, are heard at a great 

 distance: it is vigilaiit and difiiciilt to approach, except in severe 

 weather, when it is readily killed at " air openings " in the ice.— 

 It is an excellent diver, and when wounded is difficult to secure. 



Miller's Island, about fifteen miles from Baltimore, fs a famous 

 place for shooting Canvass-backs, as well as other species of Ducks. 

 " Points " on this Island, and others in the vicinity, are rented for 

 large sums by parlies who practise Duck-shooting, In this section 

 " decoys " are not used, and the unsportsmanlike manner cf rail- 

 ing after and harrassing them on tlieir feeding grounds, is not re- 

 sorted to. 



