74 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
days later than the Canada Geese, and pass in large flocks both 
through the interior and on the seacoast.’ ” — Giraud’s Birds of 
Long Island. 
SEA DUCKS. 
CANVASS-BACK DUCK. 
Canvass-backed Duck, Anas Valisneria ; Wils. Amer. Orn. Full- 
gula Valisneria; Bon. Syn. Fuligula Valisneria , Canvass-back 
Duck; Sw. Sf Rich. Canvass-backed Duck; Nutt. Man. 
“ Specific Character. —Bill black, the length about three 
inches, and very high at the base ; fore part of the head and the 
throat dusky; irides deep red; breast brownish-black. Adult 
male with the forehead, loral space, throat and upper part of the 
head dusky; sides of the head, neck all round for nearly the 
entire length, reddish-chestnut; lower neck, fore part of the 
breast and back black, rest of the back white, closely marked 
with undulating lines of black; rump and upper tail coverts 
blackish ; wing coverts gray, speckled with blackish ; primaries 
and secondaries light slate color. Tail short, the feathers 
pointed; lower part of the breast and abdomen white ; flanks 
same color, finely pencilled with dusky; lower tail-coverts 
blackish-brown, intermixed with white. Length twenty-twc 
inches, wing nine and a quarter. 
“ Female, upper parts grayish-brown ; neck, sides and abdo 
men the same; upper part of the breast brown; belly white, 
pencilled with blackish; rather smaller than the male, with the 
crown blackish-brown. 
“ This species is not found in any part of Europe. Its richly 
flavored flesh is admitted by all to be superior to any other of 
this genus. The Canvass-back Duck returns from its breeding 
