CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 89 



as a kind of protection from the attacks of the larger 

 Gulls which are always on the look-out for any 

 exposed eggs. I have frequently ohserved the egg- 

 gatherer (who has charge of all the birds on the 

 islands) stroke them on the back when sitting, and 

 even lift them from their nests without their showing 

 the slightest signs of alarm. 



The males sat quietly on the water at a distance of 

 60 or 70 yards, but did not seem inclined to allow a 

 nearer approach. 



The following description of the Eider, which I 

 found in an old History of Scotland, may possibly be 

 interesting if not instructive : — 



" In this island (Lewis) there is a rare species 

 of bird, unknown to other regions, which is called 

 Colcha, little inferior in size to a Goose, all covered 

 with down, and when it hatches it casts its feathers, 

 leaving the whole body naked, after which they betake 

 themselves to the sea, and are never seen again till 

 the next spring. What is also singular in them, their 

 feathers have no quill ; but a fine light down without 

 any hard point, and soft as wool, covers the whole 

 body. It has a tuft on its head, resembling that of a 

 Peacock, and a train larger than that of a house cock. 

 The hen has not such ornament and beauty." 



The males were shot on the Island of Fidra, in the 

 Firth of Forth, in May, 1867, the female and brood 

 being obtained near the Island of Ebris about a couple 

 of miles further west during the following month. 



