107 



The last specimens killed were those shot in May, 1871, at Grand 

 Manan Island, the date of which is absolutely certain, and the specimen 

 bought from a Mr. J. G. Bell in 1879, for the Smithsonian Institution, which 

 is said to have been shot in 1875, but this date seems not quite certain (Cf. 

 Auk, 1894, p. 9). That several other specimens were shot later than 1852 is 

 perfectly certain. As the specimen of 1875, or thereabouts, is a young male, 

 Mr. Lawrence's question about the old birds is certainly justified. As, 

 however, no Labrador Duck has been recorded later than 1871 or 1875 we 

 may suppose that it is now extinct. 



My young male was bought in the Fulton Market, New York, about 

 1860, and probably came from Long Island. It was mounted by John Bell, 

 a bird-stuffer, through whose hands several Labrador Ducks have gone, and 

 is in the finest possible condition. I bought this bird from the late Gordon 

 Plummer, shortly before his death. He died at his home in Brookline, Mass., 

 in November, 1893. (Cf. Auk, 1891, p. 206.) 



My adult male is the one of which the history is given in Auk, 1894, 

 p. 176. It is described there in detail and then added : " Shot in the bay 

 of Laprairie this spring (1862) by a habitant, and purchased by Mr. Thompson 

 of this city, who has kindly placed it at my disposal for examination." 

 Mr. William Dutcher of New York City bought this specimen from the widow 

 of the Mr. Thompson, mentioned in the above note as the original owner, 

 and I purchased it from Mr. William Dutcher, who informs me that " the 

 Bay of Laprairie " is simply a name given to a wide part of the River St. 

 Lawrence, just south of Montreal, Quebec. The name is found on good 

 maps of Quebec. 



