Not. 31, 1898.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
408 
THE CANVASBACK DUCK.* 
(Fuligula valisneriana, Stephens,) 
The range of the celebrated duck with the history of 
which I commence the fourth volume of my Biographs 
may be considered aa limited on the one hand by the 
mouths of the Mississippi and on the other by the Hudson 
or North River. B -yond the latter it is rarely seen at 
any season on our Eastern coasts; and this circumstance, 
conjoined with its being now and then observed on the 
upper waters of our Western districts, and its breeding in 
great numbers on the borders of Bear Eiver, which flows 
Into the salt lake of TimpanajcE in upper California, as 
well as in the marshes and along the banks of streams in 
many parts of the Rocky Mountains, induces me to be- 
lieve that the individuals of this species, instead of pro- 
ceeding along the shores, pass overland toward their 
breeding grounds, however far northward they may be 
situated. According to' Dr. Richardson, it breeds in all 
parts of the fur countries, from the 50 bh parallel to their 
moat northern limits. 
While in our Atlantic districts, it is found in much 
greater numbers on the Chesapeake and the streams that 
now into it than anywhere else. Indeed, it is not more 
than twenty years since its regular appearance and so- 
journ on the waters of the Southern States has been ob- 
served or at least acknowledged. Although at New Or- 
leans, 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 fif- 
teen years since it began to rise from a very low price to 
$3 the pair, at which price it sold during my ^isit in 
March, 1837. 
This enhancement of its value 1 look upon as having 
arisen from the preference given to it by the epicures of 
our Middle districts, who have strangely lauded it as su- 
perior to every other duck in the world. This alleged 
pre-eminence has indeed become so deeply impressed on 
the minds of many of our Southerners that they have on 
various occasions procured the transportation of numbers 
of canvasbacks 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 
alais dead, several dozens of these birds in the market of 
Savannah he would scarcely believe that I was not mis- 
taken, 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. Law- 
rence, along the coast of Labrador, or on that of New- 
foundland. 
It arrives in the neighborhood of New Orleans from 
Oct. 20 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 dur- 
ing winter. At the approach of spring, however, they 
flock together, and about the first of AprU depart in large 
bodies. During their stay they are wont to alight in wet 
prairies and muddy ponds in all open places, feeding on 
the seeds of various plants, of which may be particular- 
ized the wild oat and the water lily. 
According to Alexander Wilson, who first described 
this species, their arrival in autumn in the Middle dis- 
tricts takes place about Oct. 15; but more recent writers 
say that, "unless the weather of the North has been se- 
vere, the canvasback rarely appears till the middle of 
November." With this I fully agree, being convinced 
that their journeys to and from their breeding places are 
performed across the country. Were this perfectly as- 
certained, it would prove that this species, unlike most 
other ducks, instead of removing further southward in 
autumn and winter, takes what may be called a lateral 
march toward our Eastern districts, in which it remains 
until the weather has become too cold for its constitu- 
tion, when it is forced a second time to migrate and be- 
take itself to warmer parts of the country, where it con- 
tinues during the rest of the winter. 
The flight of this species, although resembling that of 
our larger sea ducks in having the appearance of being 
rather labored, is strong, rapid, at times very elevated, 
and well sustained. It swims deeply, especially when 
under apprehension of danger, and this probably the bet- 
ter to enable it to escape by diving, at which it is almost 
as expert as our sea or diving ducks. But, although its 
speed on the water is considerable, it moves rather heav- 
ily on land. Its food varies according to the season and 
locality. The plant called Valis7ieria, on which it is said 
to feed when on the headwaters of the Chesapeake, is not 
found equally abundant in other parts, and even there is 
at times so reduced in quantity that this duck and several 
other species which are equally fond of it are obliged to 
have recourse to fishes, tadpoles, water lizards, leeches, 
snails and moUusca, as well as such seeds as they can 
meet with — all which have been in greater or less quan- 
tity found in their stomachs. 
Nothing is known of its manners during the breeding 
season; and we are equally ignorant of the changes of 
plumage which, like other species, it may undergo at that 
period. 
As I have not had very good opportunities of making 
myself acquainted with the modes in which the canvas- 
backs are obtained for the markets, I here present an ac- 
count of duck shooting on the waters of the Chesapeake, 
published some years ago in the "Cabinet of Natural 
Ilistory," and of which a copy has been transmitted to 
jne by its author, Dr. J, J. Sharpless, of Philadelphia, to 
whom, for this and other marks of attention, I offer my 
pest thanks: 
"The Chesapeake Bay, with its tributary streams, has 
from its discovery been knowTi as the greatest resort of 
water fowl in the United States. This has depended on 
the profusion of their food, which is accessible on the im- 
piense flats or shoals that are f piind near the mouth of 
the Susquehanna, along the entire length of Northeast 
and Elk rivers, and on the shores of the bay and connect' 
jng streams as far south as York and James rivers. 
* FSQm '*Audub£«'B Ornltjjcilogieftl Biography," pvjWjBbea is i83S. 
"The quantity of fowl of late years has been decidedly 
less than in times gone by, and I have met with persons 
who have assured me that the number has decreased one- 
half in the last fifteen years. This change has arisen, 
most probably, from the vast increase in their destruc- 
tion, from the greater number of persons who now make 
a business or pleasure of this sport, as well as the constant 
disturbance they meet with on many of their feeding 
grounds, which induces them to distribute themselves 
more widely and forsake their usual haunts. 
"As early as the first and second weeks in October the 
smaller ducks, aa the buffelhead (Anaa albeola), south- 
southerly {A glaoialis), and the ruddy or heavy-tailed 
duck {A. rubidus) begin to show themselves in the upper 
part of the bay; and by the last of the month the black- 
head {A marila), widgeon or bald pate (A. americana), 
redhead {A. ferina), and the goose (A. canadensis) appear, 
and rapidly distribute themselves down the bay. The 
canvasback (A valisneria) and the swan {Cygnus ameri- 
canus) rarely, unless the weather to the north has been 
severe, appear in quantities till the middle of November. 
All these fowl when first arrived are thin and tasteless, 
from their privation during their migration and perhaps 
preparatory arrangements, and require some days at least 
of undisturbed repose to give them the peculiar flavor for 
which some of them are so celebrated. During the low 
tides succeeding their arrival the birds sit on the flats far 
from the shores, and rarely rise to the wing unless dis- 
turbed; but wheh the spring tides render the water too 
deep for feeding they Commence their career, and pass 
down the bay in the morning and return in the evening. 
Most of these fowl feed on the same grass, which grows 
abundantly on the shallows in the bay and adjacent 
waters, and has been called duck grass {Valianeria amer- 
icdna). It grows from 6 to 18in. in length, and is readily 
pulled up by the root. Persons who have closely ob- 
served these ducks while feeding say that the canvasback 
and blackhead dive and pull the grass from the ground 
and feed on the roots, and that the redhead and bald pate 
then consume the leaves. Indeed, although the bald pate 
is a much smaller bird than the canvasback, it has been 
seen to rob the latter, immediately on its return from 
under the water, of all its spoil. 
"All these larger ducks are found together when feed- 
ing, but separate when on the wing. That they feed on 
the same grass is evident from the similarity of flavor, 
and those most accustomed to the article have a diflSioulty 
in deciding on the kind of duck from the taste. Indeed, 
the bald pate is generally preferred by residents. 
"By the middle of December, particularly if the weath- 
er has been a little severe, the fowl of every kind have 
become so fat that I have seen canvasbacks burst op3n in 
the breast in falling on the water; and, spending less 
time in feeding, they pass up and down the bay from 
river to river in their morning and evening flights, giv- 
ing at certain localities great opportunities for destruc- 
tion. They pursue even in their short passages very 
much the order of their migratory movements, flying in 
a line or baseless triangle; and when the wind blows on 
the points which may lie on their course the sportsman 
has great chances of success. These points or courses of 
the ducks are materially affected by the winds, for they 
avoid, if possible, an approach to the shore; but when a 
strong breeze sets them on these projections of the land 
they are compelled to pass within shot, and often over 
the land itself. 
"In the Susquehanna and Elk rivers there are few of 
these points for shooting, and there success depends on 
approaching them while on their feeding grounds. After 
leaving the eastern point at the mouth of the Susque- 
hanna and Turkey Point, the western side of the Elk 
River, which are both moderately good for flying shoot- 
ing, the first place of much celebrity is the Narrows, be- 
tween Spesutic Island and the western shore. These 
Narrows are about three miles in length, and from 300 to 
SOOyds. in breadth. By the middle of November the can- 
vasbacks in particular begin to feed in this passage, and 
the entrance and outlet, as well as many intermediate 
spots, become very successful stations. A few miles fur- 
ther down the western shore is Taylor's Island, which is 
situated at the mouth of the Rumney, and Abbey Island 
at the mouth of Bush River, which are both celebrated 
for ducks, as well as swans and geese. These are the 
most northerly points where large fowl are met with, and 
projecting out between deep coves, where immense num- 
bers of these birds feed, they possess great advantages. 
The south point of Bush River, or Legoe's Point, and 
Robbin's and Rickett's points, near Gunpowder River, are 
fruitful localities. Immediately at the mouth of this 
river is situated Carroll's Island, which has long been 
known as a great shooting ground, and is in the rentage 
of a company at a high rate. Maxwell's Point, as well as 
some others up this and other rivers, and even further 
down the bay, are good places, but less celebrated than 
those I have mentioned. Most of these points are let out 
as shooting grounds to companies and individuals, and 
they are esteemed so valuable that intruders are severely 
treated. 
"It has been ascertained that disturbing the fowl on 
the feeding flats is followed in most cases by their forsak- 
ing these haunts and seeking others; hence, in the rivers 
leading to the bay near flying points, they are never an- 
noyed by boat shooting, either by night or day, and al- 
though the discharge of guns from the shore may arouse 
them for a time, they soon return; whereas a boat or sail 
in chase a few times will make them forsake a favoiite 
spot for days. 
"From the great number of ducks that are seen in all 
directions one would suppose that there could be no dt ubt 
of success at any one of the points in the course of flieht; 
but while they have such correct vision as to distai ce 
and wide range of space, unless attending circumstani es 
are favorable a sportsman may be days without a promis- 
ing shot. From the western side of the bay — and it is 
there the best grounds are found — the southerly winds 
are the most favorable; and if a high tide is attended by 
a smart frost and mild south wind, or even calm moi Ur 
ing, the number of birds set in motion is inconceivable, 
and they approach the points so closely that even a mod- 
erately good shot can procure from fifty to 100 ducks a 
day. This has often occurred, and I have seen eight fat 
canvasbacks killed at one discharge into a flock from a 
small gun. 
"To a stranger visiting these waters the innumerable 
ducks, feeding in beds of thousands, or filling the air 
with their careering, with the great numbers of beautiful 
wiiite 6waK§ resting xmt the shores, like banks of driven 
snow, might induce him to suppose that the facilities for 
their destruction were equal to their profusion, and that 
with so large an object in view a sportsman could 
scarcely miss his aim. But when he considers the great 
thickness of their covering, the velocity of their flight;, 
the rapidity and duration of their diving, and the great 
influence that circumstances of wind and weather have 
on the chances of success, it becomes a matter of wonder 
how so many are destroyed. 
"The usual mode of taking these birds hae been, till 
recently, by shooting them from the points during their 
flight, or from the land or boats, on their feeding grounds, 
or by toling, as it is strangely termed, an operation by 
which the ducks are sometimes induced to approach 
within a few feet of the shore, from a distance often of 
several hundred yards. A spot is usually selected where 
the birds have not been much disturbed, and where they 
feed at 300 or iOOyds. from and can approach to within 
40 or SOyds. of the shore, as they will never come nearer 
than they can swim freely. The higher the tides and 
the calmer the day the better, for they feed closer to the 
shores and see more distinctly. Most persons on these 
waters have a race of small white or liver-colored dogs, 
which they familiarly call the toler breed, but which ap- 
pear to be the ordinary poodle. These dogs are extremely 
playful, and are taught to run up and down the shore in 
sight of the ducks, either by the motion of the hand or 
by throwing chips from side to side. They soon become 
perfectly acquainted with their business, and aa they dis- 
cover the ducks approaching them make their jumps less 
high till they almost crawl on the ground to prevent the 
birds discovering what the object of their curiosty may 
be. This disposition to examine rarities has been taken 
advantage of by using a red or black handkerchief by 
day and a white one by night in toling, or even by gently 
plashing the water on the shore. The nearest ducks soon 
notice the strange appearance, raise their heads, gaze in- 
tently for a motient, and then push for the shore, fol- 
lowed by the rest. On many occasions I have seen 
thousands of them swimming in a solid mass direct to the 
object; and by removing the dog further Into the errass 
they have been brought within 15ft. of the bank. When 
they have approached to about 30 or 40yd8. their curi- 
osity is generally satisfied, and after swimming up and 
down for a few seconds they retrograde to their former 
station. The moment to shoot is while they present their 
sides, and fortv or fifty ducks have often been killed by 
a small gun. The blackheads toll the most readily, then 
the redheads, next the canvasbacks, and the bald pates 
rarely. This also is the ratio of their approach to the 
points in flying, although if the canvasback has deter- 
mined on his direction few circumstances will change 
his course. The total absence of cover or precaution 
against exposure to sight, or even a large fire, will not 
turn these birds aside on such occasions. In flying 
shooting the bald pates are a great nuisance, for they are 
so shy that they not only avoid the points themselves, but 
by their whistling and confusion of flight at such times 
alarm others. 
"Simple as it may appear to shoot with success into a 
solid mass of ducks sitting on the water at 40 or 50yds. 
distance, yet when you recollect that you ^.re placed 
nearly level with the surface, the object opposed to you, 
even though composed of hundreds of individuals, may 
be in appearance but a few feet in width. To give, 
therefore, the best promise of success, old duckers recom- 
mend that the nearest duck should be in perfect relief 
above the sight, whatever the size of the column, to avoid 
the common result of over-shooting. The correctness of 
this principle I saw illustrated in an instance in which I 
had toled to within a space of from 40 to 70yds. ofl^ the 
shore a bed of certainly hundreds of ducks. Twenty 
yards beyond the outside birds of the dense mass were 
five blackhead^i, one of which was alone killed out of the 
whole number by a deliberate aim into the middle of the 
large flock from a rest by a heavy well-proved duck gun. 
"Before I leave the subject of sitting shooting I will 
mention an occurrence that took place in Bush River a 
few years since, A man whose house was situated near 
the bank on rising early one morning observed that the 
river had frozen except an open space of 10 or 13 ft. in 
diameter, about 80yds, from the shore, nearly opposite 
his house. The spot was full of ducks, and with a heavy 
gun he fired into it. Many were killed, and those that 
flew soon returned and were again and again shot at, till, 
fearful that he was injuring those already his own, he 
ceased the massacre and brought on shore ninety-two 
ducks, most of which were canvasbacks. 
"To prevent the dogs, while toling, from running in, 
they are not allowed to go into the water to b.ing out the 
duchs, but another breed of large dogs of the Newfound- 
land and water spaniel mixture are employed. These 
animals, while toling is in progression, or at a point, 
take apparently aa much interest in success as the sports- 
man himself. During a flight their eyes are incessantly 
occupied in watching the direction from whence the 
birds come; and I have frequently seen them indicate by 
their manner the approach of a flock so distant that the 
human eye would have overlooked it. As the ducks 
come on the dog lies down, but stfll closely observing 
them, and the moment the discharge occurs jumps up to 
see the effect. If a duck falls dead they plunge to bring 
it, but many of them wait to see how he falls and whither 
he swims, and they seem to be as aware as the gunner of 
the improbability of capture and will not make the 
attempt, knowing from experience that a bird merely 
winged will generally save himself by swimming and 
diving. These dogs usually bring one duck at a time out 
of the water; but a real Newfoundland, who was with me 
and my company this autumn, was seen on several occa- 
sions to swim 20yds. further, and take a second in the mouth 
to carry on shore. The.frEdefatigability and ambition of 
these animals are remarkable, ani'd a gentleman informed 
me he had known his dog bring in the space of one hour 
twenty canvasbacks and three swans from the water 
when the weather was so severe that "the animal was 
covered with icicles, and to prevent his freezing he took 
hij great coat to envelop him. Some dogs will dive a 
considerable distance after a duck, but a crippled canvas- 
back or blackhead will swim so far under the water that 
they can rarely be caught by the dog, and it often has 
been observed that the moment one of these ducks, if 
merely winged, reaches the surface he passes under, and 
however calm cannot be seen again. To give an idea of 
the extreme rapidity with which a duck can dive I will 
relate an occurrence which was noticed by myself, and a 
sinjUar one 'was npjiiee4 by another of the party the gam© 
