Flapping Mallard Duck Martin Yankovick Kingston, Ontario Ca. 1936 CCFCS 84-68

One of the loveliest whirligigs in the exhibition, this duck is exquisitely made and mechanically perfect; only the propeller and tail fin seem strangely oversized and misplaced. Obviously, the wind mechanism was secondary to the artist's initial conception of a splendid mallard.

Ukrainian Bird Kost Pawlyk Elk Point, Alberta Mid-1970s CCFCS 81-236. 1 and 2

A Ukrainian immigrant to the Canadian Prairies, Mr. Pawlyk created this beautifully free-turning whirligig with an engineer's eye as well as an artist's imagination. The wings turn on tiny copper bushings, and the propeller-shaped pinions are perfectly formed. The colours are reminiscent of Hutsulian Easter egg designs, so familiar to many Canadians.

Mr. Pawlyk also made bird house trees, in which each metal branch held a tiny painted bird cottage. These tall assemblages had either a two-winged decorated "bird" or a three-winged "goose" at the top. Compared to many other outdoor folk art pieces, this bird is in remarkably good condition - this is because the artist brought it indoors each night once the day's flying was done.

Man Milking Cow Arthur MacNeill St. Peters, Prince Edward Island Mid-1970s CCFCS 82-51

One of Mr. MacNeill's many carvings and wind machines, this delightful creation features beautiful paint work, and such details as Bossy's braided rope tail. And yet there is also undeniable humour in a piece like this - especially when the wind is fresh.

Eagle Ralph Boutilier Milton, Nova Scotia Early 1970s CCFCS 76-474

Already a dab hand at painting and at building model ships, Mr. Boutilier turned his mechanical skills to making impressive whirligigs with sophisticated gear-driven inner workings. The whirling tail on this eagle allows the wings to move up and down, although the mechanism is so heavy and sturdy that the wind has to be uncomfortably strong to make it turn at a good speed.