EIDER DUCK. of 
where the breeding-places are respected, the number of nests 
increases annually to a wonderful degree, and in consequence 
the coasts become literally covered with the nests of these 
birds. On the Island of Wildoe, near Iceland, where only a 
single family resides, the place is entirely peopled by tame 
birds of this species during the breeding-season. The ground 
chosen for the nest is an undulating sea-coast or island, the 
same being scantily covered by low herbage, low birch trees, 
juniper or lichens, and at intervals tmterspersed with sand 
and shingle.’ 
The Eiders pair in March, and the males have frequent 
contests with each other. 
‘About April,’ writes Selby, ‘they are seen assembling in small 
groups along the shores of the mainland, from whence they 
cross over to the islands in May; soon after which the females 
begin to prepare their nests, and they usually commence laying 
about the 20th. of that month. The males, as soon as this 
takes place, and incubation commences, leave the females, and 
again spread themselves along the shore in companies of four 
or five together, and do not, as far as my observation goes, 
‘continue on watch near the shore as long as the females remain 
sitting, and then desert her and the newly-hatched brood, as 
mentioned in Shaw’s Zoology.’ 
‘In’ the localities,’ says Meyer, ‘where the Hider Duck breeds, 
it is so careless, or rather so little awed by the presence of 
mankind, that it makes its nest not only near but among 
human habitations, and the female allows persons not only to 
take her eggs from her, but even to touch her without 
shewing any timidity; the male bird is at the same time 
warily approached within gunshot, either on the water or land.’ 
The down with which the nests of these birds are lined, 
is made an article of commerce, and in the countries where 
they are plentiful, the people rob the nest two or three times 
in the season. The eggs are also taken at the same time, 
so as to make the birds lay again, ‘but it is generally found 
that if they are robbed more than twice, they begin to desert 
the place, and if pillaged oftener they quit it entirely.’ 
‘A few days after the young Ducks leave the eggs,’ says 
Bishop Stanley, they proceed to the water under the guidance 
of their dam, who swims with them on her back to some 
distance, when, making a sudden dive, she abandons them to 
themselves, and re-appearing, tempts them to come towards 
her; so that on the first trial they commonly become expert 
