244 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



of bird-skins, finding them warmer than any fur. 

 We use feathers for beds and pillows, because they 

 are so warm and soft. 



''Eider down, famous all over the world for its 

 warmth and lightness, and which is used chiefly for 

 the coverlets of beds, comes from the nest of the 

 Northern Eider Duck, the mother duck pulling the 

 down from her breast with her beak in order to 

 make a soft bed for the eggs and nestlings. The 

 birds nest chiefly in Greenland, Iceland, and the 

 Arctic islands of Europe, and the trade is almost 

 entirely in Danish hands. 



"The nests of the Eider Duck are made on the 

 ground, between large stones. All the available 

 nesting territory has been divided up among Dan- 

 ish owners. The breeding colonies are gradually 

 growing in size, as ground otherwise unsuitable is 

 being arranged by local owners who seek to induce 

 the Eider Ducks to settle there. The birds are 

 protected absolutely. Not only is it forbidden to 

 shoot them, but heav}^ punishment is given to any 

 one who fires a gun within sound of their nesting 

 haunts. 



"The down is taken away from the nests every 

 few days, and the eggs likewise. The poor robbed 

 mother lays more eggs and pulls more down from 



