The Canvas-back 



earth at the precise moment of happening), but we record the solemn con- 

 viction that the duck situation in America has reached an impasse, from 

 which not even Federal regulation is going to deliver us in time. The ducks 

 simply do not exist in one fortieth part of their former numbers. Yet we 

 go blissfully on licensing a hundred thousand shotguns in a single state 



CAXVASBACKS 



(albeit each cautioned not to shoot more than 25 ducks in a day or 50 in a 

 week), with a potential destruction of millions annually, and an actual 

 destruction of everything within reach. The thing simply will not work 

 out on this basis. Not even a merciful Creator will supply wild ducks 

 forever in response to such inordinate, insatiable, unreasoning demand. 

 The end is in sight. Either we shall have to kill off all the ducks and be 

 done with it, or else we shall have to give the wild birds a rest and turn 

 our attention to raising our own meat. 



Well; this is a sore subject. We will leave the stage — grumbling 

 always, after our own fashion — and give place to the real players, the 

 Canvasbacks — what there are left of them. 



1805 



