CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 
127 
CANVASS-BACK DUCK — ANAS VALISINERIA. 
Plate LXX. Fig. 5. 
Peale's Museum, No. 2816. 
FULIGULA VALISNERIANA.—Stefhens.* 
Fuligula valisneriana, Bonap. Synop. p. 392. — North. Zool. iv. p. 450. — Anas 
valisneriana, Wilson. 
This celebrated American species, as far as can be judged 
from the best figures and descriptions of foreign birds, is alto- 
gether unknown in Europe. It approaches nearest to the. 
pochard of England, (Anas firina,) but differs from that bird 
in being superior in size and weight, in the greater magnitude 
of its bill, and the general whiteness of its plumage. A short 
comparison of the two will elucidate this point : The canvass- 
back measures two feet in length, by three feet in extent, and 
when in the best order weighs three pounds and upwards. The 
* This species is now well established, and can never be mistaken. I am not 
aware that any thing can be added to Wilson’s accurate description, and the ad- 
ditional remarks of Mr Ord, which we have printed, unless Wilson’s own de- 
scription, in poetry, of his first capture of the canvass-back. — Ed. 
“ Slow round an opening point we softly steal, 
Where four large ducks in playful circles wheel. 
The far-famed canvass-backs at once we know. 
Their broad flat bodies wrapt in pencill’d snow ; 
The burnish’d chestnut o’er their necks that shone, 
Spread deepening round each breast a sable zone ; 
Wary they gaze our boat in silence glides, 
The slow-moved paddles steal along the sides ; 
Quick flashing thunders roar along the flood. 
And three lie prostrate, vomiting their blood ! 
The fourth aloft on whistling pinions soar’d, 
One fatal glance the fiery thunders pour’d. 
Prone drops the bird amid the dashing waves. 
And the clear stream his glossy plumage laves.” 
Foresters, p, 39. 
