THE CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 007 



editor of this edition shot one at Fort Jeflferson, Tortugas ; Ijeing tlie only example seen there 

 during several years' residence. 



The Canvas-back {Mtliy'm vallisneria) inhabits the whole of North America. Breeds 

 from the Northern States, northward, and winters from the Middle States, southward, to 

 Guatemala. This greatly and justly esteemed edible Duck is found on the Chesapeake Bay 

 about the middle of October. It frequents in great numbers all the principal streams in the 

 Middle States, and winters there, feeding on the delicate water-])lant called wild celery {calUs- 

 neria), which is said to give the tiesh its delicate flavor. On the Potomac River it is called 

 White-backs. 



So valuable are Canvas-backs, the sportsmen contrive various ways to procure them. A 

 favorite one is to "toll" them towards shore, near where the gunner is hidden behind an 

 ambush. A dog is taught to swim leisurely on the waters where the birds are abundant. 

 The latter are so shy, it is impossible to get Avithin gunshot while exposed to their view. 

 The Ducks are curious about any movements the dog makes, and gradually swim near the 

 masked battery, when more or less birds are secured before they are aware of the stratagem. 

 During the day they are dispersed about ; but towards evening they collect in large flocks and 

 go into the creeks, where they ride as at anchor, with their heads under their wings, asleep, 

 there being always sentinels awake, ready to raise an alarm on the least appearance of danger. 

 Even when feeding and diving in small parties, some are always left to guard the flock. 



During the severest winters, the Canvas-backs suffer considerably from theii- favorite 

 feeding-places being frozen up. They fly up and down stream in great numbers, crowding 

 around the holes in the ice, or where the more open bay affords diving-places. Audubon 

 regards the range of the Canvas-back as from the mouths of the Mississippi River to the 

 Hudson River. It breeds in all parts of the fur countries. Dr. Sharpless says : "The Chesa- 

 peake Bay has, with its tributary streams, been long known as the greatest resoi-t for water 

 fowl in the United States. This has depended on the i^-ofusion of their favorite food, which 

 is accessible on the immense flats or shoals that are found near the mouth of the Susquehanna 

 River, and on the shores of the bay and connecting streams, as far south as York and the 

 James Rivers. Though great numbers yet resort there, not more than one half are noticed in 

 late years. Nearly a dozen other species of Ducks accompany them in these waters. The 

 most singular fact of the bursting of the bodies of the Canvas-back is often noticed ; the 

 abundance of food prompting them to feed until they are enormously fat. 



Audubon says: "To a stranger visiting these waters, the innumerable Ducks feeding in 

 beds of thousands, or filling the air with their careering, with the great numbers of the beauti- 

 ful white swans resting near the shore, like banks of driven snow, might induce him to suppose 

 the facilities for their destruction were equal to their profusion, and that with so large an 

 object in view a sportsman could scarcely miss his aim. But the great thickness of their 

 covering, the velocity of their flight, the rapidity and duration of their diving, offer obstacles 

 of great moment." 



Audubon describes at more detail the singular habits of this Duck, which render it easily 

 "fooled," and therefore more readily captured by the sportsman. "Most persons on these 

 waters have a race of small white or liver-colored dogs, which they familiarly call 'toler' 

 breed, but which appear to be the ordinary poodle. These are extremely playful, and are 

 taught to run up and down the shore, in sight of the Ducks, either by the motion of the hand 

 or by throwing chips from side to side. They soon become perfectly acquainted with their 

 business, and as they discover the Ducks approaching them, make their jumps less high, till 

 they almost crawl on the ground, to prevent the birds discovering what the object may be. 

 This disposition to examine rarities has been taken advantage of by using red or black hand- 

 kerchiefs by day, and a white one by night, by 'toling,' or even by gently plashing the water 

 on the shore. The nearest Ducks soon take notice, at the strange appearance, raise tlieir 

 heads, gaze intently for a few minutes, and then push for the shore, followed by the rest. On 

 many occasions, I have seen thousands swimming in a solid mass direct to the object ; and by 

 removing the dog farther in the grass, they have been brought within fifteen feet of the bank." 



