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.
{109}
"BIZIURA LAUTOURI" FORBES.
_Biziura lautouri_ Forbes, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 188 (1892--nomen
nudum).
Dr. Forbes, unfortunately, gives no description whatever of this bird. It
would be interesting to know something about it, and especially if its
powers of flight were impaired, as it seems to have been the case in so
many extinct birds.
{111}