29
Back Bay Basin,
Boston, Mass.
1909.
Feb. 27
(No.29)
Whistler courtship
regular order nor at uniform intervals but wholly
at hap hazard as far as sequence was concerned
although each bird seemed to take pains not to begin
until his immediate predecessor had nearly or just finished.
The females swam slowly on in advance without
once turning their heads or giving other evidence
that they noted what was happening behind them;
nevertheless it probably did not escape their close
and critical attention for ducks, like many other
birds, can see well to their rear when their bills are
pointing straight ahead. I watched this scene with
absorbing interest, because of its novelty and picturesqueness.
A smaller group of Golden eyes which, for a shorter
time, paraded in a similar manner nearer at hand,
included three drakes in full nuptial dress
and two in immature plumage. The latter were
Nuptial parade