COURTSHIPS OF LABRADOR BIRDS 
lacking in their case. A study of the courtship 
of this very similar yet very different bird is 
much to be desired, and might throw consider- 
able light on the relationships or evolution 
of the two species. 
There is no more unusual and bizarre sight 
in the bird world than a dozen or more beautiful 
whistler drakes crowding restlessly around a 
few demure little females, and displaying these 
antics of head, neck, and feet, while ever 
and anon their curious love-song pierces the air. 
At Esquimaux Point on June 2nd, as I was 
standing on the rocks on the shore, I was startled 
by the loud quack or croak characteristic of the 
female black duck, and looking up I saw two 
large black ducks, evidently males, in close 
pursuit of a smaller female. They doubled and 
twisted in a manner wonderful to see, as the 
duck appeared to be straining every nerve to 
elude the drakes. At last one of the drakes 
gave up the pursuit and disappeared over the 
low forest, wherewpon the other drake and 
duck sailed away together, as if it had all been 
arranged beforehand, straight to a secluded 
pool out of sight behind the rocks. The whole 
affair was of short duration but very exciting 
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