THE CANVAS-BACK 179 



The canvas-backs feed by diving for the wild celery 

 or the wapato, and amusing accounts are given of the 

 widgeon, which floats near by and when the canvas-back 

 comes to the surface with a choice morsel quickly 

 seizes and devours it. 



The canvas-backs still come in goodly numbers to 

 some of the preserves owned by the clubs at Curri- 

 tuck, N. C, and the shooting there is often very fine. 

 The late President Harrison was the guest of the 

 Ragged Island Club during his term of office, and 

 enjoyed some good shooting. 



When the sea-ducks are much shot at, especially on 

 their feeding grounds, they will often desert the waters 

 of the bay and spend the day far out upon the ocean. 

 They return at night to feed. In North Carolina and 

 Maryland and in Ohio, and perhaps elsewhere, certain 

 days are set aside each week when all shooting is pro- 

 hibited. At the clubs certain rest days are provided 

 for by club rules, and some clubs in Oregon, Mr. 

 Thompson says, allow but one day's shooting each 

 week. 



Canvas-backs, like antelope, have a great deal of 

 curiosity, and they are brought within range of the 

 gun by the use of a small dog, which is trained to run 

 about on the beach and seek chips or small sticks tossed 

 for him from the blind. The feeding ducks are soon 

 attracted by the performance of the dog, and after ob- 

 serving him a short time, swim toward the shore, 

 their interest seeming to increase as they approach, 

 until finally they are within range. This method of 

 capture is called tolling. Heavy guns and heavy loads 

 are used to shoot these fowls. Where rest days are 



