The Canvas-back 



Viewed under a bright sun, as on a refuge pond, a resting company 

 of care-free Canvasbacks is an inspiring sight. Both by reason of his 

 size and his judicial calm, the Canvasback looks more substantial and 

 more important than his lesser kinsfolk. That high-arched bill, melting 

 into a sloping forehead — it looks somehow more suitable, more efficient, 

 than the sudden angle of Cousin Redhead. The Canvasback is an opulent 

 burgher. His head and neck are covered with conventional black and 

 vandyke brown, and for the rest he is clad in flowing magisterial robes of 



canvas, save as a black velvet 



" ^^^ = ^^^ waistcoat points a contrast, and 



restrains his rotundity. Or, with 

 head under wing, he looks like 

 a man-of-war lying at anchor. No 

 need to keep a lookout. This is 

 the international fleet at rest. 



When the siesta is over (and 

 "Cans" have to sleep o' daytimes 

 in these troubled years), the flock 

 deploys for food. Canvasbacks 

 are deep divers. When in search 

 of snails or clams, they must 

 achieve depths of twenty or 

 twenty-five feet. More com- 

 monly, then, search is directed 

 toward aquatic plants, and these 

 they pluck up by the roots, 

 bringing their plunder to the 

 surface for consumption in the 

 case of major hauls. As 

 likely as not, the saucy Wid- 

 geon presents himself before 

 the astonished burgher upon 

 his emergence, and snatches 

 away a portion or all of his 

 innocent swag. Well, never 

 mind ; there is plenty more 

 at the bottom ; and it is 

 quieter down there anyway. 

 At the approach of dan- 

 ger the Canvasbacks draw 

 together and paddle with lei- 

 surely, strong strokes in one 



Taken in Oakland Photos by W. W. Richards 



DUCKS AT LAKE MERRITT 



THE CENTRAL PANEL (SHOWS 'A FLOCK OF CANVASBACKS 



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