AQUATIC FOWLS. 



277 



THE HdOK-BILLED DUCK. 



Many early writers refer to this species, the 

 singularity of whose appearance would secure 

 attention in the days when real utility so often 

 yielded to what merely gratified curiosity. 



Description. The bill is of large size, and 

 tumed downward, not upward, as some writers 

 have it ; but Roman-nosed ducks, in short, with 

 features of a most grotesque and ludicrous ap- 

 pearance. The plumage usually white, with a 

 large top-knot ; but colored specimens are not 

 unfrequent. Holland is the source from which 

 these birds are commonly derived ; and it is said 

 that they pair like wild ducks, and manifest a 

 decided disinclination to associate with other 

 ducks. 



Dixon says, "Hooked-billed ducks are no- 

 thing new." Albin, in 1738, published colored 

 figures of both sexes, which look much as if 

 they had a right to claim the rank of a species. 

 The lines of small white specks on the head, 

 as he describes them, are remarkable. The bill 

 has some resemblance to the Flamingo. He says 

 these ducks are better layers than any of the 

 other, either the wild or tame. 



We are not aware of ever having seen or 

 tasted one ; but they are said to possess quali- 

 ties for the table, in addition to the recommend- 

 ation of being both hardy and good layers. 



THE PENGUIN DUCK. 



This variety or species of duck are nearly as 

 strange as the Hook-billed. The birds thus 

 designated have a peculiar upright gait, some- 

 what resembling the Penguin. But it is not 

 strikingly apparent when they are in an ordi- 

 nary frame of mind. A sudden fright makes 

 them raise their heads, as it will many other 

 birds. They are usually of dull colors; and, 

 from all we can learn, wholly devoid of any 

 merits to compensate for their uncouth appear- 

 ance. Nolan states that they are imported from 

 Bombay, and are the common domestic duck of 

 that country. 



THE CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 



This celebrated variety of duck is a native 

 of America, and, as far as can be judged from 



the best figures and descriptions of foreign 

 birds, is altogether unknown in Europe. It 

 probably received its name from the peculiar 

 color of the feathers on the back, which very 

 much resembles coarse canvas. It approaches 

 nearest to the Pochard of England, AnasFerina; 

 but differs from that bird in being superior in 

 size and weight, in the greater magnitude of its 

 bill, and the general whiteness of its plumage. 

 The Pochard, according to Latham, measures 

 19 inches in length, and 30 in extent, and 

 weighs If pound. The Canvas-back measures 

 2 feet in length, and 3 feet in extent, and, when 

 in best condition, weighs three pounds and up- 

 ward. 



Bewick says of the Pochard : " The plumage, 

 above and below, is wholly covered with pret- 

 tily-freckled, slender, dusky threads, disposed 

 transversely in close zigzag lines, on a pale 

 ground, more or less shaded oif with ash :" a 

 description much more applicable to the bird 

 figured beside it, the Bed-head, and which is 

 very probably the species meant. In the Poch- 

 ard, given by Bewick, who is generally correct, 

 the bill agrees very well with that of our Red- 

 head, but is scarcely half the size and thickness 

 of that of the Canvas-back. 



The Canvas-back, in the peculiarly rich, juicy 

 tenderness of its flesh, and its delicacy and fla- 

 vor, stands unrivaled by the whole of its tribe, 

 in this or perhaps any other quarter of the 

 world. Those killed in the waters of the Ches- 

 apeake are generally esteemed superior to all 

 others, doubtless from the great abundance of 

 their favorite food which is there produced. 

 It is well ascertained that they feed on a bulb- 

 ous root, or a grass which grows on the flats, 

 and has very much the color and flavor of gar- 

 den celery : it is to this food that has been at- 

 tributed, and we believe correctly, the peculiar 

 delicious flavor of their flesh. This plant, which 

 is said to be a species of Vallissineria, grows on 

 fresh-water shoals, is from 7 to 9 feet long, 

 having narrow, grass-like blades of 4 or 5 feet ; 

 and with great strength and agility the Canvas- 

 backs seize the grass near the bottom, bringing 

 it up, root and branch, to the surface, where 

 they bite off the root, leaving the long herba- 

 ceous part to float on the water. 



