COURTSHIPS OF LABRADOR BIRDS 
head to just below the eyes are jet black, while 
the sides of his face and the back of his head are 
washed with a most delicate and lovely shade 
of green. Seen from the side, when he swims 
on the water, the black crown, wings and tail 
contrast beautifully with the general whiteness 
of the rest of the plumage. From behind, the 
black crown is seen to be carefully parted by a 
white line in the centre, while the black wings 
and tail, separated by a white division, make a 
striking pattern. In flight, the black belly and 
white breast are conspicuous, an arrangement 
the reverse of the usual in bird colouration. 
The female eider, on the other hand, effaces 
herself in a garment of brown, so that she is 
often invisible against the dark water, while 
her mate shines forth conspicuously. One may 
see at a distance a company of eiders all ap- 
parently males, but on nearer approach the 
company is found to contain a number of 
females, which were at first invisible owing to 
their plainer colouring. To their mates these 
lady eiders must appear very charming, and 
indeed to human eyes, the beauty of the plu- 
mage of the females must be granted, for, when 
seen at close range, they show most wonderful 
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