THE EIDER DUCK. 



SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA. 



Prolongations of the bill flat; upper part of the head velvet-black, with a 

 central whitish band, lower greenish white ; neck and back white ; breast 

 tinged with red ; lower plumage black ; bill and feet greenish grey ; irides 

 brown. Female — General plumage reddish brown, with transverse black 

 bars ; wing-coverts black, bordered with dark reddish brown ; two whitish 

 bars across the wang ; belly brown barred 'wath black. Length twenty-four 

 inches. Eggs shining greenish grey. 



The Eider Duck differs from all the birds of tlie same tribe 

 hitherto described, in being essentially and absolutely a sea- 

 bird. ]!^ot only does it never go inland, but it never visits 

 the fresh- water lochs which, in many places in the north, 

 are only separated from the sea by a bar of sand and shingle. 

 It spends the greater part of its time on the water, and 

 feeds on fish, mollusks, and other animal matter which it 

 can obtain by diving. In the latter art it is very expert, and 

 when pursued by the fowler generally manages to escape, 

 as it can remain a long time under water, and on rising to 

 the surface is ready to descend again almost instantly. 

 Though a northern bird, it is subjected to no privations 



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