THE CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 159 



Their extreme cautiousness is shown when alighting 

 near decoys. They will come down wind like a rocket, 

 fly straight as an arrow past the decoys, as if not see- 

 ing them, and when perhaps 100 or 200 yards past 

 them, will suddenly whirl, and with a wide sweep, 

 circle and without hesitancy slide into the water just 

 out of gun shot. We see them look at the decoys as 

 is if in wonder and surprise ; then they grow inquisitive, 

 swim to and fro, gradually approaching the decoys, 

 then they hesitate as if debating whether or not they 

 had better approach any nearer. The drakes are 

 exceedingly shy, but the ducks having their curiosity 

 aroused, it must be satisfied, and crowding ahead of 

 the timid males, assume the leadership, and the drakes 

 (poor fellows) are led into danger and death by femi- 

 nine curiosity. There is a moral in this, but fearing 

 the wrath of my lady friends, I forbear to mention it. 



They are a handsome bird, either flying or sitting on 

 the water. As they fly along so swiftly, their long 

 necks stretched out, the sun shining on their dark chest- 

 nut heads, the strong light brings into distinct promi- 

 nence the changing colors of their necks and bodies, 

 and they show up conspicuously, their feathers so 

 prettily blending together, forming colors of deep-brown- 

 ish chestnut and lightish gray, often relieved by snowy 

 whiteness. 



On the water they are equally pleasing to the eye 

 as we see them sitting in some broad open lake, far 

 from shore. Watching them unperceived we see them 

 floating on its surface, idly, or with extended necks 

 when the least alarmed, their necks looking sadly 

 out of proportion to their plump, short bodies. Their 

 bills are made strong by nature, that they may forci- 



