CANVAS-BACK DUCK. 38 
connected to the main land by a narrow neck, the shooters are 
enabled to post themselves advantageously on the isthmus, and 
intercept the fowl, who, in roving from one feeding ground to 
another, commonly prefer crossing the land to taking a long 
flight around the peninsula. In calm weather the shooters 
have not much luck, the ducks keeping out in the coves, and 
when they do move, flying high ; but should a fresh breeze 
prevail, especially one from the eastward, rare sport may be 
anticipated ; and it is no unusual circumstance for a party of 
four or five gentlemen returning home, after a couple of days’ 
excursion, with fifty or sixty canvas-backs, besides some other 
ducks of inferior note. The greatest flight of ducks commonly 
takes place between daybreak and sunrise ; and while it lasts,the 
roaring of the fowling-pieces, the bustle of the sportsmen, the 
fluttering of the fowl, and the plunging of the dogs, constitute 
a scene productive of intense interest. The dog in most 
esteem for this amusement is a large breed, partaking of the 
qualities of the Newfoundland variety. They trust altogether 
to their sight, and it is astonishing what sagacity they will’ 
manifest in watching a flock of ducks that had been shot at, 
and marking the birds that drop into the water, even at a 
considerable distance off. When at fault, the motion of their 
master’s hand is readily obeyed by them; and when unable 
to perceive the object of their search, they will raise them- 
selves in the water for this purpose, and will not abandon the 
pursuit while a chance remains of succeeding. A generous, 
well-trained dog, has been known to follow a duck for more 
than halfa mile; and, after having been long beyond the reach 
of seeing or hearing his master, to return puffing and snorting 
under his load, which seemed sufficient to drag him beneath 
the waves. The editor having been an eye-witness of similar 
feats of these noble animals, can therefore speak with con- 
fidence as to the fact. 
“On the Delaware, but few of this species, comparatively, 
are obtained, for the want of proper situations whence they 
may be shot on the wing. To attempt to approach them in 
