240 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



The Eiders choose for their breeding places the low, rocky, barren islands 

 that stud the Labrador coast, generally giving the preference to those which 

 are more or less covered with grass and low scrubby juniper. The nests are 

 always placed on the ground ; often a tuft of grass is selected, or the nest is 

 hidden beneath the spreading boughs of juniper. The grassy crevices between 

 flat strata, and the soft beds of moss at the foot of over-shadowing rocks are 

 also favorite situations. The nest is of rather bulky construction, formed of 

 moss, lichens, and dried grasses and seaweed, loosely matted together, and 

 the whole fabric sunk as deeply as possible into the ground. The down is sel- 

 dom, I think, added until the full complement of eggs is made up. These 

 rarely exceed five or six in number, and occasionally are but four. They 

 vary much in size and shape, and also considerably in color. They average 

 about three inches in length by two in breadth, and the shape varies from an 

 almost perfect ellipse to a regular ovoid or ovate. The ground color is a dull 

 olive green, frequently with a bluish, and sometimes with a creamy tinge ; 

 and is often discolored with darker patches, like stains. The shell is smooth 

 and polished. The eggs are excellent eating, as I know to my cost ; for hav- 

 ing on one occasion collected a large basketful, all those that were fresh and 

 could be neatly blown, were appropriated by the sailors during a temporary 

 absence. 



While the female is incubating she permits a very near approach before she 

 forsakes her nest ; it is not uncommon to walk up to within a few feet of the 

 sitting bird ; she then flaps off in a hurried frightened manner, but always 

 in silence, and makes directly for the nearest water. If a gun be fired on a 

 small island, where many birds are sitting, all immediately leave their nests 

 and collect in a body at some distance on the water. There they wash and 

 plume themselves until the intruder withdraws, when they soon resume their 

 duties. 



There seems to be considerable difference in the time of laying the eggs. On 

 the 4th of July, when I made most of my observations on these birds, I found 

 nests in which the full complement had not yet been laid ; eggs with chicks in 

 all stages of developement ; and broods of young were seen, led about on the 

 water by the parent. As soon as the ducklings are hatched, they are led 

 directly to the water, where they swim with perfect ease and dive with facility. 

 The mother keeps them close about her, anxiously watching for every appear- 

 ance of danger that might befal them, and ready at any moment to give 

 battle to any hungry gull that might attack them. Under these circumstances 

 only did we ever succeed in openly rowing within shot of an Eider, when 

 anxiety for the safety of her brood made her forget her own danger. On suchr^ 

 occasions, the mother, keeping them close together, would urge them forward 

 until the danger became too imminent, when at a single note, the young 

 would scatter and dive with astonishing celerity, and the mother dive or fly 

 off as necessity required. The ducklings at this time are covered with long 

 hair-like down, very fine, of a dusky brown above and light silvery grey 

 below. 



As soon as the females begin to deposit their eggs, they are deserted by the 

 males, and from this time the whole care of incubation and rearing the young 

 devolves upon the former. The males, at this season, assemble in large nocks, 

 and retire to the outer and most secluded islands during the time of the re- 

 newal of their feathers. Tbey are excessively shy and difficult to approach. 

 The females, even those which are sterile, never, I believe, associate with the 

 males, but keep in flocks by themselves. 



There is a great difference in the colors of the plumage of the females at dif- 

 ferent ages, varying from very light ochreous to a uniform dark chestnut brown, 

 much as represented in Audubon r s plate. They are universally known as 

 " Sea-ducks, '" the males being always distinguished as "Sea-drakes." I sel- 

 dom or never heard the name of Eider applied to either sex by the natives. 



[Aug. 



