CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 603 
CANVASS-BACK DUCK. — ANAS VALISINERIA. — Fic. 290. 
Peale’s Museum, No. 2816. 
FULIGULA VALISNERIANA., — Sternens.* 
Fuligula velisneriana, Bonap. Synop. p. 392. — North. Zool. iv. p. 450. — Anas 
valisneriana, Wilson. 3 
Tuts ce ebrated American species, as far as can be judged from 
the best figures and descriptions of foreign birds, is altogether un- 
known in Europe. It approaches nearest to the Pochard of England, 
(-4nas ferina,) but differs from that bird in being superior in size and 
weight, in the greater magnitude of its bill, and the general whiteness 
of its plumage. A short comparison of the two will elucidate this 
point: The Canvass-Back measures two feet in length: by three feet 
in extent, and, when in the best order, weighs three pounds and up- 
wards. The Pochard, according to Latham and Bewick, measures 
nineteen inches in length, and thirty in extent, and weighs one pound 
twelve or thirteen ounces. The latter writer says of the Pochard, 
“The plumage, above and below, is wholly covered with prettily- 
freckled, slender, dusky threads, disposed transversely in close-set, 
zigzag lines, on a pale ground, more or less shaded off with ash,” — a 
description much more applicable to the bird figured beside it, the 
Red-Head, and which, very probably, is the species meant. In the 
ficure of the Pochard given by Mr. Bewick, who is generally correct, 
the bill agrees very well with that of our Red-Head; but is scarcely 
half the size and thickness of that of the Canvass-Back ; and the fig- 
ure in the Planches Enluminées corresponds, in that respect, with 
Bewick’s. In short, either these writers are egregiously erroneous in 
their figures and descriptions, or the present Duck was altogether un- 
known to them. Considering the latter supposition the more probable 
* This species is now well established, and can never be mistaken. I am not 
aware that any thing can be added to Wilson’s accurate description, unless it be 
his description, in poetry, of his first capture of the Canvass-Back.— En. 
Slow round an opening point we softly steal, 
Where four large Ducks in playful circles wheel. 
The far-famed Canvass-Backs at once we know, 
Their broad, flat bodies wrapped in pencilled snow; 
The burnished chestnut o’er their necks that shone, 
Spread deep’ning round each breast a sable zone. 
Wary they gaze — our boat in silence glides ; 
The slow-moved paddles steal along the sides ; 
Quick-flashing thunders roar along the flood, — 
And three lie prostrate, vomiting their blood! 
The fourth aloft on whistling pinions soared ; 
One fatal glance the fiery thunders poured ; 
Prone ds ops the bird amid the dashing waves, s 
And the lear stream his glossy plumage laves.” 
Foresters, p, 39, 
