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The Journals
of Lewis and Clark: The Ducks
The following
excerpts are taken from entries of the Journals of Lewis
and Clark - Ducks. A general description of the beasts,
Ducks and Ducks, &c. found by the party in this expedition.
Of
ducks, we enumerate many kinds: the duckin-mallard; the
canvass-back duck; the red-headed fishing duck, the black
and white duck; the little brown duck; black duck; two species
of divers, and blue-winged teal.
1. The duckinmallard, or common large duck, resembles the
domestic duck, are very abundant, and found in every part
of the river below the mountains: they remain here all winter,
but during this season do not continue much above tide-water.
2. The canvass-back duck is a most beautiful fowl, and most
delicious to the palate: it is found in considerable numbers
in this neighborhood. It is of the same species with those
of the Delaware, Susquehannah and Potomack, where it is
called the canvass-back duck, and in James' river it is
known by the name of the shelled drake. From this last mentioned
river, it is said, however, that they have almost totally
disappeared. To the epicure of those parts of the United
States, where this game is in plenty, nothing need be said
in praise of its exquisite flavor, and those on the banks
of the Columbia are equally delicious. We saw nothing of
them until after we had reached the marshy islands.
3. The-red headed fishing duck is common to every part of
the river, and was likewise found in the Rocky mountains,
and was the only duck discovered in the waters of the Columbia
within those mountains. They feed chiefly on crawfish, and
are the same in every respect as those on the rivers and
the mountains bordering on the Atlantic ocean.
4. The black and white duck is small, and a size larger
than the teal. The male is beautifully variegated with black
and white: the white occupies the side of the head, breast
and back, the tail, feathers of the wings, and two tufts
of feathers which cover the upper part of the wings, when
folded, and likewise the neck and head: the female is darker.
This is believed to be the same species of duck common to
the Atlantic coast, and called the butter-box. The beak
is wide and short, and, as well as the legs, of a dark color,
and the flesh extremely well flavored. In form it resembles
the duckinmallard, although not more than half the size
of that bird. It generally resorts to the grassy marshes,
and feeds on grass seeds, as well as roots.
5. The black duck is about the size of the blue-winged teal;
the color of a dusky black; the breast and belly somewhat
lighter, and of a dusky brown: the legs stand longitudinally
with the body, and the bird when on shore, stands very erect:
the legs and feet are of a dark brown: it has four toes
on each foot, and a short one at the heel: the long toes
are in front, unconnected with the web: the webs are attached
to each side of the several joints of the toe, and divided
by several sinews at each joint, the web assuming in the
intermediate part an eliptical form: the beak is about two
inches long, straight, fluted on the sides, and tapering
to a sharp point: the upper chop is the longest, and bears
on its base, at its junction with the head, a little conic
protuberance of a cartilagenous substance, being of a reddish
brown at the point: the beak is of an ivory color; the eye
dark. These ducks usually associate in large flocks, are
very noisy, and have a sharp shrill whistle: they are fat
and agreeably flavored; feed principally on moss and vegetable
productions of the water: they are not exclusively confined
to the water at all seasons, Captain Lewis has noticed them
on many parts of the rivers Ohio and Mississippi.
6. The divers are the same with those of the United States.
The smaller species have some white feathers about the rump,
with no perceptible tail, and are very acute and quick in
their motion: the body is of a reddish brown; the beak sharp,
and somewhat curved, like that of the pheasant: the toes
are not connected, but webbed, like those of the black duck.
The larger species are about the size of the teal, and can
fly a short distance, which the smaller but seldom attempt:
they have a short tail; their color is also a uniform brick
reddish brown: the beak is straight and pointed: the feet
are of the same form with the other species: the legs remarkably
thin and flat, one edge being in front. The food of both
species is fish and flesh: their flesh is unfit for use.
7. The blue-winged teal is an excellent duck, and in all
respects the same as those of the United States. One of
our hunters killed a duck which appeared to be a male. It
was of a size less than the duckinmallard; the head, the
neck as low as the croup, the back, tail, and covert of
the wings were all of a deep fine black, with a slight mixture
of purple about the head and neck: the belly and breast
are white: some long feathers which lie underneath the wings,
and cover the thighs, were of a pale dove color, with fine
black specks: the large feathers of the wings are of a dove
color: the legs are dark; the feet are composed of four
toes, of which three are in front connected by a web: the
fourth is short and flat, and placed high on the heel behind
the leg: the tail is composed of fourteen short pointed
feathers: the beak of this duck is remarkably wide, and
two inches in length: the upper chop exceeds the under one,
both in length and width, insomuch, that when the beak is
closed, the under chop is entirely concealed by the upper:
the tongue indenture on the margin of the chops, are like
those of the mallard: the nostrils are large, longitudinal,
and connected: a narrow strip of white garnishes the base
of the upper chop: this is succeeded by a pale sky-blue
color, occupying about an inch; which again is succeeded
by a transverse stripe of white, and the extremity is a
fine black: the eye is moderately large, the pupil black,
and of a fine orange color: the featherson the crown of
the head are longer than those on the upper part of the
neck and other parts of the head, which give it the appearance
of being crested.
Accounts of the
Birds
Accounts of the
Animals
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