The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-03-12
For The Cecil Wing.
Ornithology.
BY AGRICOLA.
THE CANyAS.BACK DUCK.

THE CANyAs-BACK DUCK.
Amongst all the varieties of the feathered
creation that are generally considered edi.
ble-or, rather, that are served up at the
choicest American tables on festive or cere.
monial occasions-not that l am aware of,
neither the delicate reed-bird frequenting
the Delaware and Maryland marshes the
high-favsred "pinnated grouse, nor
even that ever-vaunted American progeny,
the wild turkey, takes precedence of, or has
more admirers than the mas ralisncria ,
or canvas-back duck.
1t can scarcely be considered among 1" our
birds - as it is only with us, only as "wt :
ter visitor" passing few Of the most Wig
ereus months Of winter with us, when in
returning spring it takes its departure for
the more nerthernly localities, where on
the desolate islands and arctic shores, it
breeds and spend the short summer months
of those cold regions. Sir John Richardson
says that they breed in all parts of the fur
countries from the fiftieth parallel to their
northern limits, and associate much on the
water with the andtin9. The male cam
vas-back has the region Of the bill, top of
head, chin, base of neck and adjoining parts
dusky red, sides Of the neck and whole
length of neck deep chestnut red; lower
part of neck. fore part of breast and back.
deep black; the rest ofthe back white, closely
marked with undulating lines of black,
closely resembling canvas, hen ce its name:
rums and upper tail coverts black; wing
coverts gray, speckled with blackish: pri-
maries and secondaries slate color; tail
short, with pointed feathers: breast and
abdomen, white, flank, same color, finely
penciledwith dusky; lower tail coverts black
Thrown, intermixed with white. The bill
is blush black; feet and legs, of slate
color, the insdss fiery red. The female is
much smaller and not SO distinctly marked
as the male.)
These birds generally make their appear
aace in the latter part of October, bit they
are not found in much plenty until later n
the season, and even then they are seldom
very numerous. Neither are there many
situations that they are knswn to frequent
regularly; for although there are often
few seen scattered along the bays and
creeks of the eastern and coast States, their
favorite haunts seem to be the Chesapeake
Bay and its estuaries, particularly the Sus-
quehanna. This probably is owing to the
existence Of a peculiar grass, the zosteru
callisneria or rallisneria Americana, which
grows in great quantities on the "fats'
or sand-bars in the river, which are sell
dem bare, even at low tide. This grass is
SO thick in some places as to materially re-
tard the progress Of boat; growing in
some places to the great length of ten or
twelve feet. 1t has long, narrow grass-like
blades, and the white roet somewhat re-
sembling celery, it has been vugarly named
wild celery" although it is unnecessary
to say that it has no real connection what
ever with that plant. 1t is on the root
alone Of this plant that the canvas back
feeds; they dive assiduousy for these roots,
leaving them float to the surface where
they nip off the roots and eat them. leaving
the tops for the mallards, or other ducks
which generally accompany them but are not
quite SO good on the "dive;" or to float to
shore in great rolls much to the annoyance
of fishermen, and benefit of the farmers r.
siding on river banks.
To,on Point, Fs'r1ary, 1870.