CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 5 
seen Canvass-backs burst open in the breast in falling on the water ; 
and spending less time in feeding, they pass up and down the bay from 
river to river, in their morning and evening flights, giving, at certain 
localities, great opportunities for destruction. They pursue, even in 
their short passages, very much the order of their migratory movements, 
flying in a line, or baseless triangle; and when the wind blows on the 
potnts which may lie on their course, the sportsman has great chances of 
success. These points or courses of the ducks are materially affected 
by the winds, for they avoid, if possible, an approach to the shore ; but 
when a strong breeze sets them on these projections of the land, they 
are compelled to pass within shot, and often over the land itself. 
‘In the Susquehanna and Elk rivers, there are few of these points for 
sheoting, and there success depends on approaching them while on their 
feeding grounds. After leaving the eastern point at the mouth of the 
Susquehanna and Turkey Point, the western side of the Elk River, 
which are both moderately good for flying shooting, the first place of 
much celebrity is the Narrows, between Spesutic Island and the western 
shore. These narrows are about three miles in length, and from three 
to five hundred yards in breadth. By the middle of November, the 
Canvass-backs in particular, begin to feed in this passage, and the en- 
trance and outlet, as well as many intermediate spots, become very 
successful stations. A few miles further down the western shore is 
Taylor’s Island, which is situated at the mouth of the Rumney, and 
Abbey Island at the mouth of Bush River, which are both celebrated 
for ducks, as well as swans and geese. These are the most northerly 
points where large fowl are met with, and projecting out between 
deep coves, where immense numbers of these birds feed, they possess 
great advantages. The south point of Bush River, or Legoe’s Point, 
and Robbin’s and Rickett’s Points near Gunpowder River, are fruitful 
localities. Immediately at the mouth of this river is situated Carroll’s 
Island, which has long been known as a great shooting ground, and is 
in the rentage of a company at a high rate. Maxwell's Point, as well 
as some others up this and other rivers, and even further down the bay, 
are good places, but less celebrated than those I have mentioned. 
Most of these points are let out as shooting grounds to companies and 
individuals, and they are esteemed so valuable that intruders are se- 
verely treated. 
“It has been ascertained that disturbing the fowl on the feeding flats 
