DUCK SHOOTING. 227 



The use of this labyrinth in the trachea of 

 this and others of the genus, is, doubtless for the 

 production of certain peculiar sounds, by which 

 the bird communicates different emotions to its 

 fellows. 



The three last described ducks are all com- 

 panions of the canvass-back, and like it, feed 

 upon the same aquatic plant, a species of valisi- 

 neria, which abounds upon the submerged flats 

 at the head-waters of the Chesapeake. It grows 

 in from seven to nine feet water, has a narrow 

 blade, four or five feet in length, and a delicate, 

 semi-translucent root, like very small celery. 

 The canvass-back, which is the most expert 

 diver, tears the grass from the shoals with its 

 strong bill, eating only the root, while the others 

 regale themselves on the rejected part, or the 

 blade. They are, however, accused on good 

 evidence, of occasionally snatching the entire 

 plant from the bill of their provider, the instant 

 that it re-appears, and this species of petty larceny 

 is especially charged upon the widgeon, which, 

 besides being of a lively, mercurial disposition, 

 is known never to dive, except when dodging a 

 pursuing boat, and too much crippled to take 

 wing. The canvass-back often resents this in- 

 jury, and the feeding ground is the scene of 



