The Curse of the Labrador Duck: My Obsessive Quest to the Edge of Extinction By Glen Chilton
Have you ever heard of the Labrador Duck? Even if you have, it’s unlikely that you’ve ever seen it because they’ve been extinct since the last one was shot in 1875. Only 55 stuffed specimens are known to exist and only three are located in Canada. One of the best specimens is currently on display at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. This is the first time it has been on display since 1964 so it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Dr. Glen Chilton is an internationally recognized ornithologist and behavioural ecologist. He is also the world’s leading authority on the Labrador Duck. His book entitled “The Curse of the Labrador Duck: My Obsessive Quest to the Edge of Extinction”, describes how he tracked down and examined all 55 specimens.
Chilton first became interested in the duck as a child when he collected the small cards depicting birds that were included free in packets of tea. After studying biology and zoology at the University of Calgary, Chilton was asked to write an article about the Labrador Duck for the renown Birds of North America series. What had started out as a childhood interest quickly became a passion.
Described as a cross between Farley Mowat and Bill Bryson, Chilton tackles his subject with tenacity and humour. During his exhaustive search of museums and private collections, Chilton encountered a series of eccentric and colourful characters with obsessions of their own. His adventures took him across the world as he sought out Labrador Ducks in Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
Chilton is so obsessed with finding more examples of the Labrador Duck that he has offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can direct him to a genuine stuffed duck that is not already accounted for by the 55 specimens described in the book.
And what about the infamous curse? Chilton claims that everyone who has owned a specimen of the duck has suffered from misfortune or an untimely death. To be fair, the same could be said for almost any old artifact but Chilton seems to enjoy the idea that the Labrador Duck might, indeed, have the last laugh.
The Library’s online catalogue is available on the internet at www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca/library and allows you to place a hold on any item in the system.
Linda Kent is the Chief Librarian at the City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library
