268 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



ite feeding-ground ; and this, to no small extent, probably accounts for the great 

 diminution in numbers that has taken place along the shores of the Chesapeake and 

 elsewhere. 



The nest of the canvasback is built among the tall grass or rushes along the 

 margin of some pond or lake or stream. It is placed in shallow water, and often 

 rests on the bottom, rising from a bulky base that may be merely a rude pile of 

 grass, though the superstructure of grass and small twigs, with a lining of feathers 

 and down, apparently sometimes from the female herself, is compact and well put 

 together — a good receptacle for the six to ten grayish-green or greenish-buff eggs 

 deposited during its construction. 



The male canvasback, when in good condition, weighs at least three pounds, and 

 is nearly two feet in length, with an extent of wing that approximates a yard. The 

 bill is rather long and narrow, thin toward its tip, but sloping gradually back to a 

 high base. The close-feathered head and the neck are reddish-chestnut, the top of 



the head being somewhat blackish ; the breast, the 

 fore part of the back, part of the rump, the upper 

 and lower tail-coverts are black ; the sides, flanks and 

 most of the back are white, finely vermic- 

 ulated with dusky, presenting an appear- 

 ance that has suggested the name " can- 

 vas "-back ; the abdomen is pure 

 white. The bill is greenish-black, 

 the eye reddish-brown, the feet 

 lead color. The female resembles 

 the male, but in coloration is duller 

 throughout. 



Although in superficial appear- 

 ance this species bears a strong 

 resemblance to the redhead, and 

 in fact is often not discriminated, 

 a careful examination should serve 

 to separate them without trouble. 

 The canvasback has a much longer 

 and narrower bill ; much more deli- 

 cate black wavy cross-markings on 

 the back and sides ; and a decidedly 

 darker chestnut color on the head 



A BUSYBODY — THE KINGFISHER. and neck. 



