176 WILD-FOWL 



superior to all others as a choice table morsel, but hunt- 

 ers and duck critics differ. My experience suggests 

 that the sprig is equally delicious if not a better bird." 

 It will be noticed that the canvas-back is not mentioned. 



Canvas-backs are usually shot over decoys. A num- 

 ber of the counterfeits are placed out within easy 

 range of the blind, and to these the birds come readily 

 when they have not been much shot at ; but they soon 

 learn not only to avoid a blind but to fly high in cross- 

 ing over points, and on the Eastern waters they are as 

 wild and shy as any duck that flies and far different 

 from the " dull-witted cans." of California. 



Before putting out the decoys the birds are driven 

 away without shooting at them, and from time to time 

 they return singly or in small numbers, or perhaps in 

 flocks. As they sail slowly up to the decoys, or hover 

 over them preparatory to alighting, they are easy 

 marks, but as they spring from the shot of the first 

 barrel they are far more difficult, and he who makes a 

 " double " has reason to be proud of his achievement. 



The sportsman makes an early start for canvas-backs 

 and should have his decoys in the water by daylight. 

 The shooting is best in the early hours, and again late 

 in the afternoon, when the second flight begins. Dur- 

 ing the middle of the day he may well desert his blind 

 and try the neighboring marshes with his setters for 

 the snipe. In Oregon, a Mongolian pheasant is often 

 added to the bag. 



Canvas-backs are also shot from points as they fly 

 over from one feeding ground to another. This sport 

 is more difficult ; the shots are usually at long range 

 and at swiftly flying marks, since the birds are under 



