CANY ASS-BACK DUCK. 
11 
While in our Atlantic Districts, it is found in much greater numbers on 
the Chesapeake and' the streams that flow into it, than anywhere else. In- 
deed it is not more than twenty years since its regular appearance and 
sojourn on the waters of the Southern States has been observed or at least 
acknowledged. Although at New Orleans, 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 fifteen years since 
it began to rise from a very low price to two dollars the pair, at which it 
sold during my visit in March, 1837. 
This enhancement of its value I look upon as having arisen from the pre- 
ference given to it by the epicures of our Middle Districts, who have strange- 
ly lauded it as superior to every other Duck in the world. This alleged 
pre-eminence has indeed become so deeply impressed on the minds of many 
of our Southerns, that they have on various occasions procured the transpor- 
tation of numbers of Canvass-backs 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 op my pointing out to a friend, 
now alas dead, several dozens of these birds in the market of Savannah, he 
would scarcely believe that I was not mistaken, 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. Lawrence, along the coast of Labrador, or on that of New- 
foundland. 
It arrives in the neighbourhood of New Orleans from the 20th of October 
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 during winter. At the approach of spring, however, they 
flock together, and about the first of April depart in large bodies. During 
their stay, they are wont to alight on wet prairies and muddy ponds in all 
open places, feeding on the seeds of various plants, of which may be par- 
ticularized the wild oat and the water-lily. 
According to Alexander Wilson, who first described this species, their 
arrival in autumn in the Middle Districts takes place about the 15th of Oc- 
tober ; but more recent writers say, that “ unless the weather to the north 
has been severe, the Canvass-back rarely appears till the middle of Novem- 
ber.” With this I fully agree, being convinced that their journeys to and 
from their breeding places are performed across the country. Were this 
