22
Back Bay Basin,
Boston, Mass.
1909
Feb. 27
(No 22)
Whistler courtship
decided halt until the normal position was resumed.
Rather oftener than not this entire performance was
unaccompanied by any sound that reached my ears
even when the birds were near at hand; but very frequently
the paaap was heard. As nearly as I could make out it was given
only when the head was raised above the back or shoulders and either moving
slowly forward or fixed for an instant there, perhaps
in the masthead position but it was difficult to be
sure about this for allowance had to be made for the
time required for sound to travel one or perhaps two
hundred yards. It is possible, therefore, that the
note was occasionally uttered when the occiput of
the birds was still resting on its back or rump
but if so I failed to satisfy myself that such
was ever the case. The best evidence as to the 
precise instant when the call was emitted was afforded,
Back throat & folded skin posture