BIRDS. 



455 



United States, and is especially abundant about the Chesapeake. Here, 

 where the Vallisneria grows, they congregate in large numbers, and on 

 the roots of this plant they feed. This plant is said to give the flesh 

 its delicious flavor. Every possible method is used in hunting them ; 

 decoys of all sorts are employed ; the gunning punts are covered s< i 

 that the birds will not suspect their nature., The sport is said to be 

 very exciting. 



A peculiar interest surrounds the Labrador duck, an interest of the 

 same nature as that surrounding the great auk, Pallas's cormorant, the 

 dodo, and several other forms. 

 In early years it was compara- 

 tively common on our eastern 

 coast from Labrador south to 

 Virginia. In the first half of 

 the century it frequently ap- 

 peared in Boston market. To- 

 day it is nearly or quite extinct, 

 the last known specimens hav- 

 ing been taken near Elinira, 

 N.Y., December 12, 1878. It 

 is an extremely rare bird in 

 collections, only thirty-four 

 specimens being known (half 

 a,s many as of the great auk), 

 and of these about twenty are 

 in American museums. 



What can have caused the extinction of this species is a question. In 

 the case of the great auk, the dodo, and the flightless birds of New Zea- 

 land it is easy to explain their disappearance. These forms could not fly, 

 and hence the persecutions of man rapidly exterminated them. With the 

 Labrador cluck the case was different. This bird was a strong flier, and 

 made its annual migrations like most of its relatives. Various explana- 

 tions have been suggested : some think that some epidemic disease may 

 have been the cause, but in the opinion of the writer the explanation of 

 Dr. Stejneger is the most satisfactory as far as it goes. What caused the 

 first diminution in numbers it is impossible to say, but when once they 

 became reduced beyond a certain number, their extinction is rapid. In 

 their migrations there will be fewer, and with this the chance of losing the 

 way will greatly increase, while the breeding places will become more dis- 

 connected, thus interfering with the formation of flocks, — an important 

 element in the life of any migratory species. It may be that a few of these 



Fig. 385. — Labrador duck (Camptolaimus labradoricus) . 



