92 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
44, Canvasback. Marila valisneria (Wilson). (147) 
Synonyms: White-back.—Anas valisineria, Wils., 1814.—Fuligula vallisneria, Steph., 
1824.—Aythya vallisneria, Boie, 1826, and many others.—Aethyia vallisneria, Ridgw., 
1881. 
The adult male can be confused only with the male Redhead, but is 
always blackish about the face, chin and crown. In common with the 
Redhead and Ringneck the adults of both sexes have the pale bluish-gray 
speculum. For other distinctions see remarks under Redhead. 
Distribution.—Nearly all of North America, breeding from the north- 
western states northward to Alaska. 
This duck is seen almost invariably in flocks, these gathering often 
into large companies of many hundred individuals. Like the Redhead 
this species in Michigan is more common along the Great Lakes than on 
the ponds and streams of the interior, yet it occurs sparingly in the latter 
situations. It is one of the earliest ducks to arrive in the spring, appearing 
usually as soon as the ice goes out, commonly early in March, sometimes 
even in the last week of February. In the fall it reappears in October 
and in places where food conditions are favorable may remain until late 
December. Its favorite food, the “eel-grass” or so-called wild celery 
(Vallisneria spiralis) has been planted in several places during recent years 
and attracts many kinds of ducks. It gives a peculiarly rich flavor to 
the flesh, and ‘‘celeryfed Canvasbacks” are the best of fine eating. As 
a matter of fact, other ducks which feed on the same plant are nearly or 
quite as good and it is doubtful if even the expert can discriminate between 
Canvasback and Redhead, or even Bluebill, if he had no other guide than 
his palate. Formerly the birds were slaughtered by all sorts of abominable 
devices, including night floating, punt guns, sail-boats and steam launches, 
as well as by the more legitimate methods of decoys. At present they are 
sometimes obtained by “sneaking” or drifting down upon flocks in the 
open water in a boat more or less concealed by rushes, bushes, and similar 
disguises, but the greater number are shot from blinds or hiding places 
over painted wooden decoys. 
Possibly this species once nested in small numbers at St. Clair Flats 
(Langille, 1879) but we can find no proof that it did so, and certainly at 
the present time it is altogether unlikely that it nests anywhere within 
our limits. Its proper breeding grounds are far north, in Manitoba, the 
Saskatchewan Valley, and Great Slave Lake. Probably the most southern 
nesting locality is in the northern part of North Dakota, where (in Steele 
county) Mr. A. C. Bent found a few nests in 1901. These were placed 
in tall grass, entirely surrounded by water, and were made of grass, dead 
flags and reeds, and sparingly lined with gray down. Three nests, found 
June 7 or 8, contained eight, eleven, and eight eggs respectively, one of 
them containing also four eggs of the Redhead, one three of the Redhead, 
and the other one of the Ruddy Duck. The Canvasback’s eggs are readily 
distinguished from those of any other species, being a rich grayish olive 
or greenish drab, of a darker shade than any of the others (Auk, XTX, 11, 
12). The eggs measure 2.48 by 1.76 inches. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult male: Chin, face, and top of head black or blackish shading gradually into rich 
reddish brown of the rest of the head and neck; chest, upper back and upper breast deep 
black; back, scapulars, sides and flanks beautifully cross-lined or “ vermiculated’’ with 
