CANVAS-BACK, a diving duck related to the pochard (q.v.), but larger. The canvas-back (Manila vallisneria) is an American bird much esteemed for the table. It takes its name from the light colour of the back. The head is chestnut, the beak long and narrow. The canvas-back is found in the whole of North America, and breeds in Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota and north ward to Fort Anderson and Fort Yukon.