CHAPTER XXIII. 



CANVAS-BACK. ANAS VALISINERIA. 



"Now all around us rising trains appear; 

 "Wild whistling wings on every hand we hear ; 

 The alarm of death amid their legions spread, 

 In files immense they winnow overhead." 



THEIR HIGH ESTIMATION. 



OTH with sportsmen and epicures the 

 far-famed canvas-back stands forth pre- 

 eminent for the richness and delicacy of 

 - its flesh; in fact, it is conceded in all 

 quarters that no wild fowl in any portion 

 of the globe can vie in flavor with the 

 canvas-back of the Chesapeake or Poto- 

 mac. No variety of duck is more eagerly 



sought after by the sportsmen of our country, and no viand con- 

 tributes so largely to enhance the enjoyments of the table among 



the luxurious followers of Epicurus as the presence of this delicious 



267 



