178 WILD-FOWL 



The same writer says the canvas-backs were formerly 

 as abundant on the lakes and ponds near the Columbia 

 River as they ever were on the waters of Chesapeake 

 Bay and their flesh was as fine. 



Present indications, he adds, promise better things, 

 however; for it is believed that the wapato was not 

 totally exterminated and that with care and the de- 

 struction of the carp the canvas-back may again flourish 

 as in years past. 



The same results followed the introduction of the 

 carp into Ohio waters. A short time ago the super- 

 intendent of the Winous Point Club informed me that 

 the carp had become a positive nuisance. They de- 

 stroyed the wild rice and other vegetation in the 

 marshes to such an extent that the ducks had little 

 left to feed on where food was formerly abundant. 

 Some fishermen, he said, recently caught eight tons 

 of carp in one haul of a net, and a catch of six tons was 

 not unusual. The fish were offered for sale in Port 

 Clinton, but the market being overstocked, they were 

 taken to Sandusky on a tug, and there being no sale 

 for them there they were finally disposed of to a fertil- 

 izing establishment at $2.00 per ton. This matter of 

 the carp and their destruction of the marshes is of the 

 utmost importance to the many duck clubs and owners 

 of preserves, and in fact to all who shoot ducks. The 

 carp are said to destroy the plants by rooting, causing 

 them to fall and die. It is most unfortunate that the 

 carp, like the sparrows, seem to have come to stay. 

 The Department of Agriculture now has the authority 

 and will no doubt prevent the further introduction of 

 such pests. 



