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 
