316 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



in the marshes and along the banks of streams in many parts of 

 the Rocky Mountains. 



Canvas-backs first make their appearance on our waters in the 

 months of October and November. During the time of migration 

 a few are encountered upon the Hudson and Delaware, and other 

 rivers, but the great body of ducks generally take up their line of 

 march straight for the Chesapeake and its tributaries, the Susque- 

 hanna, Potomac, James, Elk, North-East, Bush, Gunpowder, and 

 some other smaller streams. 



It will now be very naturally asked by the uninitiated but in- 

 quisitive reader, Why do these ducks resort so particularly to the 

 above-mentioned waters in preference to the hundreds of others 

 of our noble rivers? This question is easily solved when we in- 

 form him that a peculiar kind of aquatic plant on which they de- 

 light to feed grows luxuriantly in these streams, and that it is 

 seldom or never found in other localities ; and, if met with at all, is 

 generally in such small quantities that it would not furnish food 

 sufficient for these numberless ducks for more than a few days. 

 They, therefore, instinctively, or perhaps led by the older members 

 of the flocks, wend their way from the bleak climes of the North in 

 a direct course to these favored regions of abundance, and where, 

 previous to the coming of the white man, the feathered tribes re- 

 mained all winter, feeding unmolested and undisturbed by the 

 never-ceasing reports of the terrible duck-guns which now spread 

 death and destruction on all sides. When the canvas-backs first 

 arrive in our waters, they are rather poor and unpalatable, but 

 soon become fat and juicy, as they are very industrious feeders, 

 and partake largely of the roots of the valisineria, or wild celery, 

 which is very tender and extremely nutritious. This species of 

 aquatic herb, from which the canvas-back so appropriately derives 

 its scientific appellation, grows in great abundance on the exten- 

 sive shoals of the Chesapeake, as also on the numerous flats of all 

 the rivers that empty their waters into this estuary. The plant 

 attains several feet in height, and has a small white root very much 

 resembling young celery ; and it is upon this delicate portion alone 



