CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 347 



a pair of the finest Mallards that our waters could afford. But 

 the delusion is now passed; every shooter and huckster knows 

 the distinctive characters of the Canvas-back and the Red-head; 

 and prejudice no longer controverts the opinion that this spe- 

 cies is a common inhabitant of the Delaware; and epicures are 

 compelled to confess that they can discern no difference be- 

 tween our Canvas-back, when in season, and that from Spesu- 

 tie, or Carrol's Island, the notorious shooting ground of the 

 bon-vivants of Baltimore. 



The last mentioned place, though commonly termed an is- 

 land, is properly a peninsula, situated on the western side of 

 the Chesapeake bay, a few miles from Baltimore. It is a spot 

 highly favourable for the shooting of water fowl. It extends for 

 a considerable distance into the bay; and, being connected to 

 the main land by a narrow neck, the shooters are enabled to 

 post themselves advantageously on the isthmus, and intercept 

 the fowl, who, in roving from one feeding ground to another, 

 commonly prefer crossing the land to taking a long flight around 

 the peninsula. In calm weather the shooters have not much luck, 

 the Ducks keeping out in the coves, and, when they do move, 

 flying high; but should a fresh breeze prevail, especially one 

 from the eastward, rare sport may be anticipated; and it is no 

 unusual circumstance for a party of four or five gentlemen, re- 

 turning home, after a couple of days' excursion, with fifty or 

 sixty Canvas-backs, besides some other Ducks of inferior note. 

 The greatest flight of Ducks commonly takes place between 

 daybreak and sunrise, and while it lasts the roaring of the fowl- 

 ing pieces, the bustle of the sportsmen, the fluttering of the 

 fowl, and the plunging of the dogs, constitute a scene produc- 

 tive of intense interest. The dog in most esteem for this amuse- 

 ment is a large breed, partaking of the qualities of the New- 

 foundland variety. They trust altogether to their sight, and it 

 is astonishing what sagacity they will manifest in watching a 

 flock of Ducks that had been shot at, and marking the birds 

 that drop into the water, even at a considerable distance off. 

 When at fault, the motion of their master's hand is readily 



