32 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 





boats, concealed by moans of branches and other disguises, and row silently down 

 into the midst of tlie flock. On the Pacific coast, however, they are not hunted ,m) 

 much as some other kinds held in higher esteem. 



This species of Duck extends its winter migrations on the Pacific farther soutli 

 than California, reaching Mazatlan, in Western Mexico, where Colonel Grayson 

 found it not uncommon during the winter months. 



Richardson states that in the interior this Duck breeds from the fiftieth parallel to 

 the most northern limit of the Fur Country. Mr. Eoss met with it on Great Slave 

 Lake, but did not observe it any farther north. Captain Blakiston obtained a single 

 specimen at Fort Carlton, in the valley of tlie Saskatchewan. 



Mr. Boardman informs me that examples of this species are occasionally taken 

 near Calais, but that its appearance there is very irregular. This bird is also 

 extremely rare on the coast of Massachusetts ; yet hardly a year passes that some 

 specimens of it are not brought into the Boston market, chiefly from the county of 

 Barnstable, in the southeastern portion of the State. In November, 1874, a small 

 flock was found off that coast, and seven individuals were brought to the stall of ]\lr. 

 David A. Dunham, in Quincy ^larket. 



Those Canvas-ba(!ks which frequent the shores of Long Island, according to Girautl, 

 return from their breeding-places at the north about. the first of November; and in 

 the winter some are occasionally shot in the eastern part of Great South Bay. They 

 are also sometimes taken in Long Island Sound, both on the southern and on the 

 Connecticut shore. Dr. Woods has obtained them on the Connecticut, a few miles 

 above its mouth. Canvas-backs from the vicinity of New York are much inferior 

 to those taken in the Chesapeake and its tributaries, owing to the difference in 

 the quality of their food. This Dn.<'k feeds in preference on the root of the VaUii- 

 neria spiralis, called by some tai)e-grass, and by others, incorrectly, wild celery. 

 This plant grows both in fresh and in lu'ackish water. Where this favorite food 

 cannot be obtained, this Duck feeds on various marine plants and small shellfisli, 

 which abound on the coast, and furnish an abundant supply of food to other Duclis 

 of less note. Where this tape-grass cannot be procured, the flesh loses in a great 

 degree that delicacy of flavor for which the Canva.s-back is so celebrated. This bird 

 is in the best condition for the table in the latter pirt of the autunni. 



These Ducks associate in large flocks ; and when they all rise together from the 

 water the noise made may l)e heard to a great distance. Tliey are very vigilant, and 

 difficult of approach, except in severe weather, when they may be easily killed at air- 

 openings in the ice. This bird is an excellent diver, and when only woundetl can 

 with difficulty be secured. Miller's Island, about fifteen miles from Baltimore, was 

 formerly a famous place for shooting Canvas-backs, as well as other Ducks ; and 

 points on this island, and on others in the vicinity, were rented for large sums. 



A writer in " Doughty's Cabinet " (I. 41) states that unless the weather at the 

 north has been very severe, the Canvas-back rarely appears in large numbers in Chesu- 

 peake Bay before the middle of November. When first arrived these birds are thin 

 iind tasteless, and need several days of undisturbed repose to give them that peculiar 

 flavor for which they are so celebrated. During the low tides succeeding their arriviil 

 they sit on the flats far from the shore, and rarely rise to the wing unless disturljed. 

 When the spring-tides render the water too deep for feeding, they pass down the bay 

 in the morning, and return in the evening. 



By the middle of December, particularly if the weather has been severe, the fov 1 

 of every kind have become so fat tliat (]anvas-backs have been known to burst ojicn 

 in the breast in falling on the water. They now spend less time in feeding, pass u\> 



