CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 
131 
river in great extremity, soon crowded to this place, so that 
the whole open space was not only covered with them, but 
vast numbers stood on the ice around it. They had three 
rounds, firing both at once, and picked up eighty-eight can- 
vass-backs, and might have collected more, had they been able 
to get to the extremity of the ice after the wounded ones. In 
the severe winter of 1779-80, the grass, on the roots of which 
these birds feed, was almost wholly destroyed in James’ Ri- 
ver. In the month of January, the wind continued to blow 
from W.N.W. for twenty-one days, which caused such low 
tides in the river, that the grass froze to the ice every where, 
and a thaw coming on suddenly, the whole was raised by the 
roots and carried off by the fresh. The next winter a few of 
these ducks were seen, but they soon went away again ; and, 
for many years after, they continued to be scarce, and even to 
the present day, in the opinion of my informant, have never 
been so plenty as before. 
The canvass -back, in the rich juicy tenderness of its flesh, 
and its delicacy of flavour, stands unrivalled by the whole of 
its tribe in this or perhaps any other quarter of the world. 
Those killed in the waters of the Chesapeake are generally 
esteemed superior to all others, doubtless from the great 
abundance of their favourite food which these rivers produce. 
At our public dinners, hotels, and particular entertainments, 
the canvass-backs are universal favourites. They not only 
grace but dignify the table, and their very name conveys to 
the imagination of the eager epicure the most comfortable and 
exhilarating ideas. Hence, on such occasions, it has not been 
uncommon to pay from one to three dollars a-pair for these 
ducks ; and, indeed, at such times, if they can, they must be 
had, whatever may be the price. 
The canvass-back will feed readily on grain, especially 
wheat, and may be decoyed to particular places by baiting 
them with that grain for several successive days. Some few 
years since a vessel loaded with wheat was wrecked near the 
entrance of Great Egg Harbour, in the autumn, and went to 
