THE CURSE OF THE LABRADOR DUCK: MY OBSESSIVE QUEST TO THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION. By Glen Chilton.

2009 1st edition. 8vo (160 x 242mm). Ppxii,305. B/w photographs, map. Green and cream boards, spine titled in gilt.

"Finally, the world's leading authority on the extinct Labrador duck, Dr. Glen Chilton, shares the story of the mysterious bird - a saga wherein he sets out to examine the remains of every Labrador duck, conduct genetic analysis on every Labrador duck egg, and visit every site where the duck was shot ...with many a (mis)adventure along the way. ...More elusive than the passenger pigeon, the dodo, or the great auk, and breeding in places so obscure that no certain records exist of its nests, the Labrador duck succumbed to extinction almost before anyone realized it was in decline. When Chilton began his travels there were thought to be approximately fifty stuffed specimens scattered among the museums of Europe and North America. However, as his search progressed, it became clear that some specimens had been lost to war and theft while others lay hidden in far-flung collections, overseen by secretive curators". Chilton finally did succeed in seeing every single specimen known to be in existence, but only after travelling the equivalent of 3.3 times around the earth in order to do it. A good read, with much useful information on a hitherto rather obscure subject.