CANVAS-BACK DUCK. OF, 
CANVAS-BACK DUCK. (Anas valisineria.) 
PLATE LXX.—Fie. 5. 
Peales Museum, No. 2816. 
FULIGULA VALISNERIANA.—StTEPHENS.* 
Fuligula valisneriana, Bonap. Synop. p. 392.—North. Zool. iv. p. 450.—Anas 
valisneriana, Wilson. 
Tis celebrated American species, as far as can be judged 
from the best figures and descriptions of foreign birds, is alto- 
gether unknown in Europe. It approaches nearest to the 
pochard of England (Anas ferina), but differs from that bird 
in being superior in size and weight, in the greater magnitude 
of its bill, and the general whiteness of its plumage. A short 
comparison of the two will elucidate this point. The canvas- 
back measures two feet in length by three feet in extent, 
and when in the best order weighs three pounds and upwards, 
The pochard, according to Latham and Bewick, measures 
nineteen inches in length, and thirty in extent, and weighs 
* This species is now well established, and can never be mistaken. 
IT am not aware that anything can be added to Wilson’s accurate 
description, and the additional remarks of Mr Ord, which we have 
printed, unless Wilson’s own description, in poetry, of his first capture 
of the canvas-back.— Ep. 
Slow round an opening point we softly steal, 
Where four large ducks in playful circles wheel, 
The far-famed canvas-backs at once we know, 
Their broad flat bodies wrapt in pencilled snow ; 
The burnished chestnut o’er their necks that shone 
Spread deepening round each breast a sable zone. 
Wary they gaze—our boat in silence glides, 
The slow-moved paddles steal along the sides ; 
Quick flashing thunders roar along the flood, 
And three lie prostrate, vomiting their blood ! 
The fourth aloft on whistling pinions soared, 
One fatal glance the fiery thunders poured, 
Prone drops the bird amid the dashing waves, 
And the clear stream his glossy plumage laves. 
—Foresters, p. 39. 
