244 BAY, SEA OR DIVING DUCKS 



somewhat resembles. It remained for Alexander Wilson (1832) in his 

 "American Ornithology," to describe the species for the first time. Wil- 

 son's own account, in verse, of his first capture of the Canvas-back is as 

 follows: 



"Slow around an opening point we softly steal, 

 Where four large ducks in playful circles wheel, 

 The far-famed Canvas-backs at once we know, 

 Their broad flat bodies wrapt in pencilled snow; 

 The burnished chestnut o'er their necks that shone 

 Spread deepening round each breast a sable zone. 

 Wary they gaze our boat in silence glides, 

 The slow-moved paddles steal along the sides; 

 Quick flashing thunders roar along the flood, 

 And three lie prostrate, vomiting their blood! 

 The fourth aloft on whistling pinions soared, 

 One fatal glance the fiery thunders poured, 

 Prone drops the bird amid the dashing waves, 

 And the clear stream its glossy plumage laves." 



This super-duck is reputed to be the "choice of the epicure" and has 

 achieved world-wide fame as a table bird; a reputation it will no doubt 

 retain. There are many, however, who will argue that a prairie-fed Mal- 

 lard or a prime Black Duck is quite its equal in flavour; and there is no 

 doubt that many a lip has smacked over a fat Redhead in the belief that 

 the "choice of the epicure" was being enjoyed. 



The Canvas-back is supposed to acquire its special flavour from the 

 wild celery buds (Vallisneria spiralis) which form a main item of its 

 diet, and from which is derived its specific name "valisineria" It pre- 

 fers the soft white roots of this plant, which are said to have a delicate 

 flavour somewhat like that of young celery; the plants are uprooted, the 

 roots eaten, and the leaves and stems left to float away. Wild celery is 

 also eaten by other Diving Ducks, and it is debatable whether the un- 

 questionably fine flavour of the Canvas-back can be attributed solely to 

 this item of its diet. In districts on the Pacific coast where this plant is 

 not to be found, Canvas-backs feed heavily on wapato (Sagittana varia- 

 bilis), and their flesh is then reputed to be just as delicious as that of 

 the celery-feeding bird of the East. And there is another side to the 

 story: Our king of ducks is a greedy, gluttonous feeder, not above gorg- 

 ing itself on the rotting flesh of the salmon on the Pacific coast, and when 

 so feeding becomes highly undesirable as a table bird. 



