AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
39 
circumstance for a party of four or five gentlemen return- 
ing 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 roar- 
ing of the fowling-pieces, the bustle of the sportsmen, the 
fluttering of the fowl, and the plunging of the dogs, consti- 
tute 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 wa- 
ter, 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 themselves 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 half a mile; and, after hav- 
ing 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 confidence 
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 open day, with a boat, is unproductive labour, except 
there be floating ice in the river, at which time, if the 
shooter clothe himself in white, and paint his skiff of the 
same colour, he may so deceive the Ducks as to get within 
a few feet of them. At such times it is reasonable to sup- 
pose that these valuable birds get no quarter. But there is 
one caution to be observed, which experienced sportsmen 
never omit: it is to go always with the current; a Duck 
being sagacious enough to know that a lump of ice seldom 
advances against the stream. They are often shot, with 
us, by moonlight, in the mode related in the foregoing ac- 
count; the first pair the Editor ever killed, was in this 
manner; he was then a boy, and was not a little gratified 
with his uncommon acquisition. 
As the Valisineria, will grow in all our fresh water 
rivers, in coves, or places not affected by the current, it 
would be worth the experiment to transplant this vegetable 
in those waters where it at present is unknown. There is 
little doubt the Canvas-backs would, by this means, be 
attracted; and thus would afford the lovers of good eating 
an opportunity of tasting a delicacy, which in the opinion 
of many, is unrivalled by the whole feathered race. 
In the spring, when the Duck-grass becomes scarce, the 
Canvas-backs are compelled to subsist upon other food, 
particularly shell-fish; their flesh then loses its delicacy of 
flavour, and although still fat, it is not esteemed by epi- 
cures; hence the Ducks are not much sought after; and are 
permitted quietly to feed until their departure for the north. 
Our author states that he had had no certain accounts of 
this species to the southward of James’ River, Virginia. In 
the month of January, 1818, I saw many hundreds of 
these Ducks feeding in the Savannah River, not far from 
Tybee light-house. They were known by the name of 
Canvas-backs; but the inhabitants of that quarter considered 
them as fishing Ducks, not fit to be eaten: so said the pilot 
of the ship which bore me to Savannah. But a pair of 
these birds having been served up at table, after my arri- 
val, I was convinced, by their delicate flavour, that they 
had lost little by their change of residence, but still main- 
tained their superiority over all the water fowl of that 
region. In the river St. John, in East Florida, I also saw 
a few scattered individuals of this species; but they were 
too shy to be approached within gunshot. 
The Canvas-backs swim very low, especially when fat; 
and when pursued by a boat, they stretch themselves out 
in lines in the manner of the Scaup Ducks, so that some of 
the flock are always enabled to reconnoitre the paddler, 
and give information to the rest, of his motions. When 
the look-out Ducks apprehend danger, the stretching up of 
their necks is the signal, and immediately the whole 
squadron, facing to the wind, rise with a noise which may 
be heard at the distance of half a mile. 
The guns employed in Canvas-back shooting should be 
of a medium length and caliber; and of the most approved 
patent breech. My experience has taught me that a barrel of 
three feet seven inches, with a bore short of seven-eighths 
of an inch, is quite as effective as one of greater dimensions, 
and is certainly more convenient. It may appear a work 
of supererogation to speak of the quality of powder to be 
used in this kind of sporting; and yet so often are shooters 
deceived in this ' article, either through penuriousness or 
negligence, that a word of advice may not be unprofita- 
ble. One should obtain the best powder, without regard 
to price; it being an indispensable maxim in shooting, but 
which is too often forgotten, that the best is always the 
cheapest. — Wilson’’ s Ornithology . 
[As the Red-headed Duck is so frequently imposed on purchasers 
for the Canvas-back, from the Philadelphia and other markets, we 
have thought it advisable to introduce both birds in the same Plate, 
(vide Plate IV. Vol. 2,) when it will be seen, that the distinguishing 
marks are chiefly confined to the bill, eyes, head, and size of the birds; 
the Red-head being the smallest bird, and having a brighter red over 
the whole head. — Ed.] 
