116 
CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 
between daybreak and sunrise, and while it lasts the roaring of the 
fowling pieces, the bustle of the sportsmen, the fluttering of the 
fowl, and the plunging of the dogs, constitute a scene productive of 
intense interest. The dog in most esteem for this amusement is a 
large breed, partaking of the qualities of the Newfoundland variety. 
They trust altogether to their sight, and it is astonishing what sa- 
gacity they will manifest in watching a flock of Ducks that had 
been shot at, and marking the birds that drop into the water, even 
at a considerable distance off. When at fault, the motion of theii 
master’s hand is readily obeyed by them ; and when unable to per- 
ceive tlie object of their search, they will raise themselves in the 
water for this purpose, and will not abandon the pursuit while a 
chance remains of succeeding. A generous, well-trained dog, has 
been known to follow a Duck for more than half a mile ; and, af- 
ter having been long beyond the reach of seeing or hearing his 
master, to return puffing and snorting under his load, which seem- 
ed sufficient to drag him beneath the waves. The Editor having 
been an eye-witness of similar feats of these noble animals, can 
therefore speak with confidence as to the fact. 
On the Delaware but few of this species, comparatively, are 
obtained, for the want of proper situations whence they may be 
shot on the wing. To attempt to approach them, in open day, with 
a boat, is unproductive labor, except there be floating ice in the 
river, at which time, if the shooter clothe himself in white, and 
paint his skiff of the same color, he may so deceive the Ducks as 
to get within a few feet of them. At such times it is reasonable to 
suppose that these valuable birds get no quarter. But there is one 
caution to be observed, which experienced sportsmen never omit : 
it is to go always xvith the current ; a Duck being sagacious enough 
to know that a lump of ice seldom advances against the stream. 
They are often shot, with us, by moonlight, in the mode related in 
the foregoing aecount ; the first pair the Editor ever killed was in 
