406 



WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



hardly changing from season. The young similar to the female, only 

 assuming the adult dress in the second or third year. They moult 

 twice a year without changing color. Tracheal capsule of the male 

 large. Plumage closer and thicker than in the ordinary Ducks. 



The birds of this family mostly dwell in the north. They migrate 

 in large flocks, chiefly along the sea coast; seeming to have a pre- 

 dilection for the sea, however boisterous its waves, and swim and dive 

 with great agility, proceeding considerable distances under water, 

 and dive habitually both for food and amusement. They are, however, 

 somewhat nocturnal, feeding and travelling sometimes by night. In 

 their migrations, however, several of the kinds proceed on their 

 aerial voyage by day, particularly in blowing and hazy weather ; 

 at such times, also, in autumn and winter, they are seen abroad 

 in the bays and estuaries, throughout the principal part of the 

 day. They feed chiefly upon mollusca, diminutive shell-fish, small 

 fry, and marine vegetables, after all which they usually dive. They 

 are monogamous ; breeding generally near fresh waters, and lining 

 the nest with down ; the eggs are numerous. The female alone in- 

 cubates, and leads the young to the water after their food as soon as 

 they are hatched. From the position of their feet they are scarcely 

 able to walk, being obliged to bring the body nearly erect ; they 

 run, however, somewhat rapidly, though with an awkward attitude, 

 appearing to fall at every attempt in progress. They swim deep in 

 the water ; and their flight, though often steady, rapid, and long con- 

 tinued, is low, heavy, and attended with a whistling sound. 



Though chiefly hyperboreal, they are spread more or less over the 

 whole globe, and the species are numerous. 



Subgenus. — Somateria, ( Leach , Genus of.) 



In these the bill is small, elevated at base, extending up the fore- 

 head, and divided by a salient point of the frontal feathers, towards 

 the extremity narrow and blunt; nostrils about medial. Wings 

 short, the tertiaries long, and generally curved outwards so as to 

 overlap the primaries. Neck thick. Tail of 14 feathers. 



The plumage is remarkably thick and close : the down valuable, 

 and of an exquisite softness. These are exclusively marine ; breed- 

 ing near the sea ; but are comparatively not very prolific. The male 

 Eider does not acquire his perfect plumage before the fourth year. 

 Allied to the genus Anser. 



