132 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



same bird when killed in the Potomac. The Canvass-back, 

 killed on the bays, is a worthless bird; and it is a singular fact, 

 that, although greatly superior to the Red-head, when both can 

 obtain their favorite food, the Valisneria Americana, it is here 

 as far inferior to it. This brings me to fowl shooting, as it is 

 practised on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, which abounds 

 with all the finest varieties of wild-fowl in their finest condition, 

 above any other region of the known world, and on which more 

 sport is enjoyed by gentlemen, and more fowl slain by profes- 

 sional gunners, than in any other waters of America, from the 

 noble and glorious Swan, down to the tiny Diver. 



But here, as I have never enjoyed an opportunity of partici- 

 pating in this delightful recreation, I quote an admirable de- 

 scription of the sport furnished by Dr. Sharpless, of Philadel- 

 phia, to Mr. Audubon, and by him inserted in the " Birds of 

 America." 



