Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-19

vas hacks. So 5oas5 per pair: red heads 81 o..
Si-5o per pair: shutters. 60a75 cents: widceons
tea.o cents; rocks, or bar ducks 50 cents ,sa.
pair blue wings IS cents TO n per ns,r ,nai,a,S
$50 per pair; grouse. Sl.50 per pair. nheasan,s'
Sl-5o ployers, p cents each; yenisen 40 cent.
per pounds Wild geese. a. cents each: wood.
COCK, 90 cents each; quail 81 per dozen: rabbits.
- 30 per dozen. There are no reed birds no,
ortolan in the markets now.
THE CANVAS BACKS
arrive In the Potomac river soon after tbe cola
weather comes, but thus far they have not been
plentiful Being in great demand they are
much sought after and are gradually getting
scarce, especially in the upper Potomac. Yet
the old gunners say there is no better feeding
grounds for them than between the Long bridge
and Alexandria Wild celery grows more
abundant and OF tie best quality on the
extensive sand and mud bar at that place
ana These ducks are kept away by the constant
shooting AT them. No duck is so much I'm favor
as the canvas back when taken from about this
par They are generally among the last TO ar
rive ana among the first to leave here but are
FOUND later in the lower river and bay They
are esteemed by the dealers for their quality OF
sfePhS better and holding their firmness OF
mesh longer than any other ducks sold While
olher noted fowl lose their solidity and game
naNor ny being boxed for some DAYS tbe canvas
packs retain all their qualities and keep In good
that they feed only on the delicate roots Of ,hs
wlid celery, While most other ducks are like
scaVengers. gorging themselves on the
refuse blades of the celery tops, rejected
by the canvas backs. They are muscular.
OF great strength are great divers and will
work longer under water than other ducks and
are masters of them ALL generally driving them
from their feeding places. Ii is said by old gum
ners that when the canvas backs reach the sur
lace win the choice tidbits in their mouths, the
q ks Mill
pearance and attack them before they can re-
cover their breath aud strength. and take the
iood, obtained 10y their superior foraging pow
ers. well conditioned canvass back has an
aNeragew weight OF about three pounds and is
equailed in bulk. though not in strength and
1lrmness OF flesh. only by the red neck They
ieed IN The upper river. when they appear there.
late OF evenings and early in the mornings when
they generally rise early and often do not settle
unto me! resca tie lower river Among the
earliest IN the season to make their appearance
here are
THE BLUE WING TEAL.
They come with the cool nights; are about
the same size as the green wing teal. both being
marked with spot OF the color designating
them on the shoulder portion of their wings.
They feed in shallow waters where they can
reach the bottom without much diving: are fire.
quently captured from the shores of inlets and
creeks. and are considered the finest fall ducks
IN Ia the markets. They take their leave early in
the season.
THE SUMNER OR WOOD DUCKS
do not emigrate. but remain hereabouts the
entire year, and are generally In good condition
for eating, except the season of Incubation.
Unlike most all other ducks, they build ther
nests in hollow trees; are swift on the wing.
feed largely on seed and tender grasses. The
usual price is 5oa55 cents per pair The male
mas very beautiful plunage; the female a drab
breast rnterspersed with brown feathers and
brown backs. They are not full web-footed.
wIDGEoNs
arrive this month, ard are generally found
about shallow water and in marshes They are
larger than the teal and other early ducks are %
gray color. and feed on roots and water grasses.
winch they pull from the bottom. They are not
divers.
THE GRAY AND BLACK MALIARD
come about the same time. and their habits are
similar TO those OF the widGeon. They resemble
nearly the grey tame duck and will frequently
alight, aud for several hours at a time keep
company with the tame ducks in ponds and
small streams. They are generally plentiful in
the Potomac river. and Hunting Creek. below
Alexandra. is favorite resort for them. They
are coarse feeders. and their meat is Of rather
coarse flavor and quality.
THE STIFF TAILS
About the same time comes the rock. a smaller
duck sometimes called ''siff tails" the feathers
being short and stumpy and spread out They
are great divers, great lovers Of wild celery,
and i'm appearance somewhat resemble the
female shuffier, being greyish in color The
male has white streak running from the stump
of his bill back on the sides of the head They
are little smaller than the shulller: plentiful
this year. and are not easily frightened off by
the gunners. They are generally found on deep
waters over bars in the river where wild celery
grows on the bottom abundantly. They are
goOG feeders and are in good condition this
year and sell from 40 to so cents per pair.
THE RED NEcKs
Next to the canvas backs the red necks are
the most valuable, and many prefer them to the
former. They come in October. They have
been scarce this year, though it is reported that
many are seen i'm other rivers of the Chesapeake
bay. They are frequenters Of any rivers and
marshes where wild celery grows, are good
divers, and remain under water as long as any
OF the duck family. They are large, weighing
nearly as much as the canvas backs. The male
has a red neck and nearly black head: the female
similar in size and form to the canvas backs.
with with n finely NJ shaped head and more delicately
formed. Ihey can be taken all along the river,
In its entire length. in deep water, wherever
wild celery grows. They are shot both on the
THE SHUFFLER,
the most common. and at present most plenti.
full, is an excellent table duck; is fat and makes
good eating. They are easily recognized by
their white breasts and dark necks and heads.
and are sometimes known as "black heads. are
smaller than the red necks and coarse feeders
sPRIG TAILS
are similar in appearance and size to the NAL
lard, the only difference being that they have
two long stiff tail feathers one on each side ofthe
tail, and they feed almost exclusively at the
upper ends Of creeks and shoal streams, where
they can find plenty Of mud to wallow i'm and
search for insects and tender roots. which they
bore for. having long bills and muscular necks.
They are plentiful in the -Four Mile run. and
can sometimes be taken some dist ance on the
shores from water They are of large SIZE
long ana narrow, but not usually i'm good con-
dition. Whistlers. Southerds and Dippers are
also brought to this market, but are hard to
Kill, as they will dodge the flash of a gun and
60 under water.