THE BLACK (OR COMMON) SCOTER 199 
shown the immense number of Eider Ducks which lived on Vidée, 
and which were now sitting on eggs or young ones, exhibiting a 
most interesting scene. The ex-governor made us go and coax 
some of the old birds, who did not on that account disturb 
themselves. Almost every little hollow place between the rocks 
is occupied with the nests of these birds, which are so numerous 
that we were obliged to walk with the greatest caution, to avoid 
trampling upon them; but, besides this, the ex-governor has a 
number of holes cut in the smooth and sloping side of a hill in two 
rows, and in every one of these, also, there is a nest. No Norfolk 
housewife is half so solicitous after her poultry as the ex-governor 
after his Eider Ducks, which by their down and eggs afford 
him a considerable revenue; since the former sells for three rix- 
dollars (twelve shillings).a pound. Cats and dogs are, at this season 
of the year, all banished from the island, so that nothing may 
disturb these birds.’ I need scarcely add that the Eider down of 
commerce is taken from these nests, not in a pure state but mixed 
with fragments of plants. Pennant says that if the nest and eggs 
be taken ‘the Duck lays again, and repeats the plucking of her 
breast, if she is robbed after that, she will still lay, but the drakes 
must supply the down, as her stock is now exhausted; if her eggs 
are taken a third time, she wholly deserts the place. The quan- 
tity of down found in one nest weighs about three-quarters of an 
ounce, and may be compressed into a ball two inches in diameter, 
but on being shaken out will fill a large hat. 
The young brood take to the water immediately on being hatched. 
To effect this they are often obliged to travel a considerable distance, 
and if difficulties present themselves, insurmountable in any other 
way, the parent bird carries the young in her bill. Once clear of the 
rocks, they are liable to no further molestation from land robbers. 
But the sea is not without its dangers, for the rapacious Black- 
backed Gull frequently attacks them, and, but for the self-devotion 
and bravery of the mother bird, would commit great havoc among 
them. At his appearance the young dive in all directions, while 
the mother counterfeits lameness to distract his attention from them 
to herself, or springs from the water and attacks the Gull until he 
is compelled to retire from the contest. 
THE BLACK (OR COMMON) SCOTER 
GDEMIA NIGRA 
General plumage deep black; quills dusky brown on the inner web, glossy 
grey beneath; disk of the upper mandible orange-yellow ; protuberance 
at the base black ; no speculum on the wings. Female—general plumage 
brown of several shades; bill without the protuberance; nostrils, and 
a spot towards the tip, yellowish. Length eighteen inches. Eggs pale 
buff. 
Tus bird is well known along the eastern coast of England under 
