i84 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



known, but it is probable that the birds mate for Hfe. 

 The breeding haunts of this species are the coasts of the 

 Arctic Ocean, and various low rocky islands that stud 

 that sea probably as far as the Pole. But little is known 

 of its nesting habits. Von Middendorff met with this 

 Duck breeding on the Taimyr peninsula ; Captain 

 Feilden observed it doing so on Floeberg Beach, in lat. 

 82|° ; whilst MacFarlane obtained nests on the Arctic 

 coast of America near Franklin Bay, and states that 

 occasionally a few pairs may be found breeding in close 

 proximity to the Pacific Eider, Soinateria v. nigrum. 

 The nest, which is placed in a similar situation to that 

 of the Common Eider, is merely a hollow, warmly lined 

 with down from the body of the female, gradually 

 accumulated as the eggs are laid. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the King Eider, so far as is at present 

 ascertained, are from four to six in number. They are 

 smooth in texture, with little polish, and pale greenish- 

 gray in colour. Average measurement, 2*6 inches in 

 length, by 175 inch in breadth. Incubation is performed 

 by the female, but the duration of the period is not 

 known. 



Diagnostic characters: The eggs of this Eider 

 are best distinguished by their size, being much smaller 

 than those of the Common Eider, and larger than those 

 of Steller's Eider. They somewhat closely resemble 

 those of the Red-breasted Merganser, but are always 

 greener. The down resembles that of the Common 

 Eider, which varies from brownish-gray to grayish-brown, 

 with obscure pale centres. 



