CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 
115 
with this speciesj and that all other Ducks, which seemed to claim 
affinity, were a spurious race, unworthy of consanguinity. Hence 
at the same time when a pair of legitimate Canvass-backs, proudly 
exhibited from the Mail-coach, from Havre-de-Grace, readily sold 
for two dollars and fifty cents, a pair of the identical species, as 
fat, as heavy, as delicious, but which had been unfortunately killed 
in the Delaware, brought only one dollar ; and the lucky shooter 
thought himself sufficiently rewarded in obtaining twenty-five per 
cent, more for his Eed-necks than he could obtain for a pair of the 
finest Mallards that our waters could afford. But tlie delusion is 
now passed; every shooter and huckster knows the distinctive cha- 
racters of the Canvass-back and the Red-head ; and prejudice no 
longer controverts the opinion that this species is a common in- 
habitant of the Delaware ; and epicures are compelled to confess 
that they can discern no difference between our Canvass-back, 
when in season, and that from Spesutie, or Carrol’s Island, the no- 
torious shooting ground of the Bon-vivants of Baltimore. 
The last mentioned place, though commonly termed an island, 
is properly a peninsula, situated on the western side of the Chesa- 
peake bay, a few miles from Baltimore. It is a spot highly favor- 
able for the shooting of water fowl. It extends for a considerable 
distance into the bay ; and, being connected to the main land by 
a narrow neck, the shooters are enabled to post themselves advan- 
tageously on the isthmus, and intercept the fowl, who, in roving 
from one feeding ground to another, commonly prefer crossing the 
land to taking a long flight around the peninsula. In calm weather 
the shooters have not much luck, the Ducks keeping out in the 
coves, and, when they do move, flying high ; but should a fresh 
breeze prevail, especially one from the eastward, rare sport may be 
anticipated ; and it is no unusual circumstance for a party of four 
or five gentlemen, returning home, after a couple of days’ excur- 
sion, with fifty or sixty Canvass-backs, besides some other Ducks of 
inferior note. The greatest flight of Ducks commonly takes place 
