50 CANVAS-BACK DUCKS. 



through the decayed vegetation of last year, and 

 migration was going on rapidly among aquatic fowls. 

 For an hour this morning they continued going north 

 in immense phalanxes, returning southward in the 

 evening. 



As I expected, soon after dark there was a 

 considerable fall of temperature, and in the morning 

 a thin coat of snow was visible everywhere over the 

 low grounds. 



By the river I fired into a flock of duck, which 

 proved to be canvas-backs (Anas vallisneria), thus 

 knocking on the head the supposition of some would- 

 be authorities, that this species are not to be found 

 west of the Atlantic sea-board ; but, alas ! they were 

 poor and insipid how different from those found on 

 the Chesapeake River during winter ! 



From the reputation Epicurus has obtained there 

 can be scarcely a doubt that he was a gastronome of 

 great experience, yet he was unacquainted with the 

 canvas-back duck, which in my belief deserves to 

 be placed at the head of any enumeration of deli- 

 cacies. Among educated sportsmen and in Eng- 

 land few others exist this bird is well known by 

 name. The very rich may even have had their tables 

 graced with them, but they are only to be obtained 

 in America. Such being the case, a description of 

 their appearance and habits, as well as the methods 

 adopted for their successful pursuit, may not be 

 uninteresting. The naturalist Wilson thus describes 

 a drake : 



