Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Contributed by Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library.
| www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Clangula clangula americana.
Lake Umbagog, Maine.
1897. departure of the mother with the rest of the brood defeated
June 8. this plan and we have the pretty little creature still. I
have taken advantage of the opportunity to try a number of
experiments. First I put the bird on the deck where it ran
about freely standing and moving always in a nearly erect po-
sition, lying prone with half extended wings when tired. It
called every few minutes in shrill piping tones very like a
young Turkey:-peep-peep-peep-peep-peep. It did not appear
either shy or apprehensive but, like many young birds, it was
exceedingly stubborn and persistent, giving me the greatest
trouble to pose it for photographing, absolutely refusing to
remain where I wished it to although it would settle down qui-
etly almost anywhere else.
Next I put a shallow pan filled with water near it. It
ran back and forth through this many times without apparently
taking the least notice of the water.
Next it was placed suddenly but gently in the middle of
a tub filled to the brim with water. For at least a minute
it remained floating in one spot looking about with evident
bewilderment but without signs of fear. Its feet and legs
hung loosely down beneath it. Occasionally it would twitch
them slightly. Presently it began using them, as paddles,
slowly and hesitatingly at first. Indeed it was more than an