CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 
221 
J'hich is said to be a species of vdtisineria, nroivs on 
•'esh water shoals of from seven to nine feet (but never 
'here these are occasionally dry,) in lonjif narrow grass- 
blades of four or five feet in length ; the root is 
’bite, and has some resemblance to small celery. Tiiis 
is in many places so thi<;k, that a boat can with 
^lenity bo rowed through it, it so impedc's the oars, 
.be shores are lined witli large fpiantities of it, torn up 
jJ' the ducks, and drifted up by the n inds, lying like 
in wind rows. Wherever this i)lant grons in 
bundance, the eanvass-backs may be expected, either 
^ pay occasional visits, or to make it their regular 
^*>dence during the winter. It occurs in some parts 
P the Hudson ; in the Delaware, near Cfloncester, a 
!?"■ miles below Philadelphia ; and in most of the rivers 
I "t fall into the Chcsai)eake, to each of which particular 
pees these ducks resort; nhile in waters unprovided 
''•th this niilritive plant they are altogether unknown. 
On the first arrival of these birds in the Snsrinehannah, 
Havre-dc-(irace, they are generally lean ; h)it such 
..the abundance of their favourite food, that, towards 
/te beginning of November, they are in pretty good 
^ttler. They are e.xcelleut divers, and sndm witli great 
!’‘‘ed and agility. They sometimes assemble in such 
^[•Ititude.s as to cover several acres of the river, and, 
jTben they rise suddenly, produce a noise resembling 
builder. They float about these shoals, diving and 
•^Uriiijr ap the grass by the roots, which is the only 
jlUrt they eat. They are extremely shy, and can rarely 
j ** upproaehed, unless by stratagem. When wounded 
u.the wing, they dive to such prodigious distances, and 
'ib such rapidity, coutiuuing it so persevoriugly, and 
j^'ib such ouimiiig and active vigour, as almost ahva3's 
j, ueiider the pursuit hopeless. From tlie great demand 
■'U these ducks, and the liigh price they unifornilj' bring 
‘ market, various modes arc practised to get within 
jUnshot of them. The most successful way is said to 
3 decoying them to the shore by means of a dog, while 
oUnner lies closely concealed in a proper situation, 
be dog, if properly trained, plays backwards and 
