A LABRADOR SPRING 



that there were men near at hand. To all these 

 pleadings the female remains silent or occa- 

 sionally utters a low and simple ku ku ku. 



But the wooer of the demure one does not 

 depend on his voice alone, he displays his 

 charms of dress to best advantage, and indulges 

 in well worn antics. It always seemed to me 

 a pity that the magnificent black lower parts 

 should disappear when the drake is swimming 

 on the water, and the bird evidently shares my 

 sentiments, for during courtship, he frequently 

 displays his black shield by rising up in front, so 

 that at times, in his eagerness, he almost stands 

 upon his tail. To further relieve his feelings, 

 he also throws back his head, and occasionally 

 flaps his wings. The movements of his head 

 and neck are an important part of the court- 

 ship, and although there is considerable varia- 

 tion in the order and extent of the performance, 

 a complete antic is somewhat as follows: the 

 head is drawn rigidly down, the bill resting 

 against the breast; the head is then raised up 

 until the bill points vertically upwards, and 

 at this time the bill may or may not be opened 

 to emit the love notes; after this the head is 

 jerked backwards a short distance still rigidly, 



88 



