THEIR HABITS. 101 



burgermeisters, strontj aggers, sea-swallows, and 

 other birds, which were always hovering about 

 and watching for opportunities of devouring the 

 eggs or the young birds, dared not molest the 

 ducks whilst upon their nests, and could only 

 secure their prey when foxes or some of the 

 larger animals drove them into the sea. A 

 practice, common to these birds, which I have 

 not seen mentioned in their history, marks the 

 provision which nature has made against some 

 of the casualties to which their species are liable, 

 and from which the young might be destroyed 

 in their embryo state by the parents being kept 

 away from their nests in so cold a climate. 

 When immediate danger compelled them to 

 seek their own safety in flight, they hastily drew 

 the down of the nest over the eggs, and glued 

 it there with a yellow fluid, which they deposited 

 as they arose. This precaution not only kept in 

 the warmth of the eggs, by interposing between 

 them and the air a thick covering, which the 

 cold would require some time to penetrate, but 

 it was otherwise useful from its being of so very 

 offensive a nature that the foxes would not touch 

 the eggs that were tainted With it. If it hap- 

 pened that they were suddenly surprised, and 

 compelled to take wing without making this 

 provision for the safety of their young, they flew 



