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204. ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
CANVAS-BACKED DUCK. 
(Nyroca valisneria. Fuligula valisneria) 
This celebrated American Pochard much resembles our 
common Fuligula ferina, but is superior in size, in length and 
breadth of bill, and is considerably heavier, weighing, according 
to Wilson and Bonaparte, over three pounds when in good 
condition, and measuring two feet in length by three feet in 
extent, whereas the British Pochard weighs from 2 lb. to 2 Ib. 
60z. It is reckoned excellent eating, and is captured in 
large numbers for the table. American ornithologists state 
that it arrives in the United States, from its breeding 
quarters in the North, about October, frequenting the large 
rivers, where it feeds upon the vadsneria, a plant somewhat 
resembling small celery as to the root, and producing a long 
grass-like blade four or five feet in length. Of this plant 
the Canvas-back is passionately fond, and so nutritious is 
it that they grow fat, and are eagerly purchased in the 
market, from one to three dollars (4s. to 12s.) being not 
uncommonly paid for them. In America this Pochard is 
decoyed by baiting traps with grain, Wilson relating that 
when a ship laden with wheat was wrecked on the coast not 
far from Philadelphia, the grain floated out in vast quantities, 
and that in a few days the whole surface of the bay was 
covered with ducks, unknown to the people of that quarter. 
The Canvas-back has never been offered for sale alive in 
this country ; we must therefore still regard it as a desirable 
acquisition. Mr. Jamrach succeeded in bringing over a con- 
signment of these birds from America, but they all died. 
Male.—Back grey, pencilled with narrow black lines ; 
under parts white ; head and upper neck red ; lower throat and 
breast black ; bill and legs brownish-black ; eye red. 
