20 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



Canvasback {Marila valisincria) 



The canvasback visits the central lakes of New York in con- 

 siderable numbers, but it is not a common duck elsewhere in the 

 State. Its favorite food is the wild celery, which imparts a deli- 

 cate flavor to the flesh. This has given the canvasback a 

 reputation foi delicious meat, but in fact several other ducks, 

 when they have fed on the same food, are quite as satisfactory. 

 Like most other wild ducks, the canvasback breeds north of 

 New York. It winters in this region and farther south. 20-24 



Call no. 

 Nu Cal Aduh Male (captive) Standing on Raft. Ithaca. (March 25, 

 1917) Allen 



Note the large feet and the position of the legs, characteristic 

 of all diving ducks. 



Nu Ca6 Flock of Ducks Swimming; Canvasbacks and Bluebills. 

 Ithaca. (March 12, 1916) Bailey 



Beneath these ducks on the bottom in about 6 feet of water 

 are wheat and cracked corn. Note one duck in the act of diving. 

 As many ducks are under water as are shown in the picture. 

 The ducks with white backs are male canvasbacks, the one 

 farthest back is a female ; those with gray backs and white flanks 

 are male bluebills, the dark ones with white at the base of the 

 bill are female bluebills. 



Nu Ca7 Large Flock in Open Water Siuroundcd by Ice. Branch- 

 port. (March 3, 1914) Burtch 



Nu Ca8 Four Adult Males on the Ice, Weakened by Hunger. Lake 

 Keuka. (March 1914) Stone 



The ducks were in such a weakened condition because of 

 inability to secure food that the photographer was able to 

 approach very close. 



Nu Ca9 Flock in Flight, Rising from the Water. Branchport. 

 (March 3, 1914) Burtch 



The diving ducks do not rise straight into the air but have 

 difficulty in getting under way, pattering over the surface for 

 some distance. 



Nu Ca92 Canvasbacks, Black Ducks and a Bluebill. Cayuga lake. 

 (February 28, 1916) AHen 



