COURTSHIPS OF LABRADOR BIRDS 



female. That the female does take part to this 

 limited extent in the nuptial performance, I 

 have, however, convinced myself. Although 

 this performance is more striking than that of 

 the eider just related, the family resemblance 

 can be detected. 



There are many variations of this curious 

 action. It may be curtailed, so that the thrust- 

 ing of the head up into the air alone re- 

 mains, or it may be limited to the upward 

 thrust of the head and the jerk to and from 

 the rump. When the birds are at such a dis- 

 tance that the note can not be heard, it is 

 impossible to say when it is emitted, but I 

 have observed birds close at hand go through 

 the performance silently. I have also seen 

 them thrust out the head in front in such a 

 way as apparently to scoop up the water and 

 then elevate the head, the bill pointing straight 

 up but closed as if they were drinking the water. 

 Sometimes the head is held on the rump for sev- 

 eral seconds before it is snapped into place. 



A male after ardently performing the court- 

 ship actions near a female flew off with his 

 head low about a hundred yards. The female 

 swam rapidly after him with head stretched 



93 



