THE DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 51 



In North America there is found a smaller species closely resembling 

 this bird. 



The Eider-duck (Plate V. figs, i a, b) is perhaps, in name at 

 any rate, one of the best known of all the Duck tribe, and this on 

 account of the fact that its down — bleached white — is so much in 

 demand for domestic purposes. This down is obtained by robbing 

 the nest-material of the breeding birds. It is plucked by the female 

 from her breast to serve as a lining for the nest and a covering for 

 the eggs. As is the case of so many of the Ducks, the female is 

 much more soberly clad than her mate ; which is one of the most 

 beautiful of all the Ducks. The American Eider-duck, though 

 a distinct species, differs but little in appearance from the British 

 species. 



The Long-tailed Duck (Plate V. fig. 3) is a relative of the 

 Eider-duck, though a much less handsome bird. Nevertheless, it 

 has distinct claims to beauty, the white plumage of the male being 

 relieved by black, and washes of dark brown and buff. 



This bird breeds in the northern limits of Scotland, and is also 

 well known in America, where it not infrequently passes under the 

 name of the ** South Southerly " and " Old Squaw," the latter name 

 having been bestowed on account of its noisiness when a large number 

 are gathered together. Apart from its peculiar coloration, the 

 long tail of the bird makes it easy to distinguish. 



The Tufted Duck (Plate V. fig. 6) and the Golden Eye 

 (Plate V. fig. 8) are both well-known British birds, being especially 

 common during the winter months. The Golden Eye, indeed, occurs 

 with us at no other time ; but the Tufted Duck, on the other hand, 

 is to be found the year round, breeding in considerable numbers in 

 the Midland counties. 



While the Golden Eye is represented in America by a bird identical 

 with the British race in all except size — the British Bird being much 

 smaller — the Tufted Duck is unknown as an American bird. 



The Golden Eye is peculiar among the Ducks, in selecting a hole 

 in a tree in which to lay its eggs. 



While the Ducks so far described are commonly known as Diving 

 Ducks, the species now to be described are similarly known as 

 Surface-feeding or Fresh-water Ducks ; though it must be remarked 



