272 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



same degrees of latitude as on the Atlantic. Thus it 

 may be seen from their not being found in the inte- 

 rior of the continent that they are essentially a sea- 

 duck. A curious circumstance connected with them 

 is that until they have fed on the vallisneria, fami- 

 liarly known as water-celery, the flesh of the canvas- 

 back is insipid and fishy ; and as this plant grows in 

 the greatest abundance on the Chesapeake, especially 

 on a portion called the Susquehanna Flats, the duck 

 that are killed there are of far more value than when 

 shot elsewhere. 



As these birds are exceedingly strong, tremendous 

 divers, and covered with a very close coating of 

 feathers, they require a large-bore gun. My selection 

 should be, after the experiences of last season, a single 

 barrel No. 6 with No. 3 shot for flight-shooting ; a 

 No. 10 or 8 double-barrel, with 5 shot for point- 

 shooting. 



Immediately after their arrival from the north, they 

 are very easily decoyed, becoming more wary however 

 when much shot at ; but if severe weather, with ice 

 and snow set in, they soon forget the caution gained 

 by previous experience. 



The number of these ducks that are annually 

 killed is surprising, the greatest slaughter amongst 

 them being made from sink boats, a species of box 

 which is sunk in the water till within a few inches of 

 its level ; to prevent the splash coming on board it has 

 immense wings on either side which lay on the surface 

 of the water, and which are studded over with innu- 

 merable decoys. Of course it must be understood 

 that this infernal machine is anchored, the gunner 

 ying on his back and shooting upwards as the game 



