EIDER 193 



extreme lightness and elasticity, is in great request for filling bed- 

 coverlets. This bird generally frequents low rocky islets near the 

 coast, and in Iceland and Norway has long been afforded every 

 encouragement and protection, a fine being inflicted for killing it 

 during the breeding-season, or even for firing a gun near its haunts, 

 while artificial nesting-places are in many localities contrived for its 

 further accommodation. From the care thus taken of it in those 

 countries it has become exceedingly tame at its chief resorts, which 

 are strictly regarded as property, and the taking of eggs or down 

 from them, except by authorized persons, is severely punished by 

 law. In appearance the Eider is somewhat clumsy, though it flies 

 fast and dives admirably. The female is of a dark reddish-brown 

 colour barred with brownish-black. The adult male in spring is 

 conspicuous by his pied plumage of sable beneath, and creamy- 

 Avhite above ; a patch of shining sea-green on his head is only seen 

 on close inspection. This plumage he is considered not to acquire 

 until his third year, being when young almost exactly like the 

 female, and it is certain that the birds which have not attained 

 their full dress remain in flocks by themselves without going to the 

 breeding-stations. The nest is generally in some convenient corner 

 among large stones, hollowed in the soil, and fui'nished with a few 

 bits of dry grass, seaweed, or heather. By the time that the full 

 number of eggs (which rarely if ever exceeds five) is laid the down 

 is added. Generally the eggs and down are taken at intervals of a 

 few days by the owners of the "Eider-fold," and the birds are thus 

 kept depositing both during the whole season ; but some experience 

 is needed to insure the greatest profit from each commodity. Every 

 Duck is ultimately allowed to hatch an egg or two to keep up the 

 stock, and the doAvn of the last nest is gathered after the birds have 

 left the spot. The story of the Drake's fui*nishing down, after the 

 Duck's supply is exhausted, is a fiction.^ He never goes near the 

 nest. The eggs have a strong flavoui", but are much relished by 

 both Icelanders and Norwegians. In the Old World the Eider 

 breeds in suitable localities from Spitsbergen to the Earn Islands 

 off" the coast of Northumberland — where it is knoAvn as St. Cuth- 

 bert's Duck. Its food consists of mai-ine animals (mollusks and 

 crustaceans), and hence the young are not easily reared in captivity. 

 The Eider of the New World differs somewhat from our own, and 

 has been described as a distinct species, S. dresseri. Though much 

 diminished in numbei's by persecution, it still inhabits the coast of 

 Newfoundland and thence northward. In Greenland Eiders are 

 very plentiful, and it is supposed that three-fourths of the supply 

 of down sent to Copenhagen come from that country. The limits 

 of the Eider's northern range are not known, but the last British 



^ Eqnally fictitious is the often -repeated statement tliat Eider-down is white. 

 Mouse-colour would perhaps best describe its hue. 



13 



