300 CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 



While in our Atlantic Districts, it is found in much greater numbers on 

 the Chesapeake and the streams that flow into it, than any Avhere else. In- 

 deed it is not more than twenty years since its regular appearance and so- 

 journ on the waters of the Southern States has been observed or at least 

 acknowledged. Although at New Orleans, where it goes by the name of 

 Canard Cheval, it has been known to the oldest duck-shooters now alive, 

 from their earliest recollection, it is not more than about fifteen years since 

 it began to rise, from a very low price to two dollars the pair, at which it 

 sold during my visit in March 1S37. 



This enhancement of its value I look upon as having arisen from the pre- 

 ference given to it by the epicures of our Middle Districts, who have strange- 

 ly lauded it as superior to every other Duck in the world. This alleged 

 pre-eminence has indeed become so deeply impressed on the minds of many 

 of our Southerns, that they have on various occasions procured the transpor- 

 tation of numbers of Canvass-backs from Baltimore to Charleston in South 

 Carolina, and even to Savannah in Georgia, although this species is by no 

 means uncommon within a few miles of the latter city, as well as on the 

 Great Santee river. I well remember that on my pointing out to a friend, 

 now alas dead, several dozens of these birds in the market of Savannah, he 

 would scarcely believe that I was not mistaken, and assured me that they 

 were looked upon as being poor, dry, and very fishy, in short not half so 

 good as Mallards, or Blue-winged Teals. With this I cordially agreed, for 

 there, at that season, they are not better than represented. 



I found this species in considerable numbers on and about the numerous 

 inlets and rivers of East Florida; but did not see a single individual on the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence, along the coast of Labrador, or on that of Newfound- 

 land. 



It arrives in the neighbourhood of New Orleans from the 20th of October 

 to the end of December, coming in flocks of eight or twelve, probably the 

 members of a single family, and, unlike many other species, keeping in small 

 groups during winter. At the approach of spring, however, they flock to- 

 gether, and about the first of April depart in large bodies. During their 

 stay, they are wont to alight on wet prairies and muddy ponds in all open 

 places, feeding on the seeds of various plants, of which may be particularized 

 the wild oat and the water-lily. 



According to Alexander Wilson, who first described this species, their 

 arrival in autumn in the Middle Districts takes place about the 15th of Oc- 

 tober; but more recent writers say, that "unless the weather to the north 

 has been severe, the Canvass-back rarely apjoears till the middle of Novem- 

 ber." With this I fully agree, being convinced that their journeys to and 

 from their breeding places are performed across the country. Were this 



