CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 349 



shell-fish; their flesh then loses its delicacy of flavour, and al- 

 though still fat, it is not esteemed by epicures; hence the Ducks 

 are not much sought after; and are permitted quietly to feed 

 until their departure for the north. 



Our author states that he had had no certain accounts of this 

 species to the southward of James' river, Virginia. In the month 

 of January, 1818, 1 saw many hundreds of these Ducks feeding 

 in the Savannah river, not far from Tybee light-house. They 

 were known by the name of Canvas-backs; but the inhabitants 

 of that quarter considered them as fishing Ducks, not fit to be 

 eaten : so said the pilot of the ship which bore me to Savannah. 

 But a pair of these birds having been served up at table, after 

 my arrival, I was convinced, by their delicate flavour, that 

 they had lost little by their change of residence, but still 

 maintained their superiority over all the water fowl of that re- 

 gion. In the river St. John, in East Florida, I also saw a few 

 scattered individuals of this species; but they were too shy to 

 be approached within gunshot. 



The Canvas-backs swim very low, especially when fat; and 

 when pursued by a boat, they stretch themselves out in lines, 

 in the manner of the Scaup Ducks, so that some of the flock are 

 always enabled to reconnoitre the paddler, and give information, 

 to the rest, of his motions. When the look-out Ducks appre- 

 hend danger, the stretching up of their necks is the signal, and 

 immediately the whole squadron, facing to the wind, rise with 

 a noise which may be heard at the distance of half a mile. 



The guns employed in Canvas-back shooting should be of a 

 medium length and caliber; and of the most approved patent 

 breech. My experience has taught me that a barrel of three 

 feet seven inches, with a bore short of seven-eights of an inch, 

 is quite as effective as one of greater dimensions; and is cer- 

 tainly more convenient. It may appear a work of supereroga- 

 tion to speak of the quality of powder to be used in this kind 

 of sporting; and yet so often are shooters deceived in this arti- 

 cle, either through penuriousness or negligence, that a word of 

 advice may not be unprofitable. One should obtain the best 



