40 EIDER DUCK. 
inferior, being, as Pontoppidan says, far from as light as 
what the female plucks to form a bed for its young. It is 
on this account that it is prohibited by the laws of Norway 
to kill the Eiders for their down.’ 
The Eider Duck begins to pair in March, and to lay about 
the beginning of the last week in May, that is to say, in 
this country. Incubation lasts from three weeks to a month. 
The male bird at this period leaves his mate, and repairs 
to the open sea. The young, as soon as hatched, are led by 
the dam to the water, and in some instances, it appears 
certain that they must be carried by her in her bill. They 
gradually venture out farther and farther till able entirely 
to provide for themselves. Von Troil says that the female 
at first takes them on her back a little way, and then 
dives, and leaves them to ‘sink or swim.’ 
In England the Eiders build so far south as the Fern 
Islands and Coquet Island. In one of the former the remains 
of an old lighthouse appears to be a favourite resort, and 
within the ruined and deserted walls several have been 
accustomed to lay. They seem to prefer islands for the 
purpose, but also make use of hollows in rocks on the 
mainland, and sand-banks along the sea-shore. Great numbers 
are frequently placed close together, so that it is hardly 
possible to walk along them without treading on some. 
With reference to what has been already stated, it seems 
that the nest has at first only grass, lichens, or sea-weed for 
its composition, but when all or nearly all the eggs are 
laid, down, plucked by the female from herself, is daily 
added, the quantity being then successively increased. If 
the bird leaves her charge for a time, the eggs are carefully 
covered over and concealed, either with down, or grass and 
leaves, according as each has been supplied. 
The eggs, of a light green colour, are usually five in 
number, but not very unfrequently as many as eight or 
even ten are found together, two birds having laid in the 
same place. Both, it appears in that case, sit together in 
an amicable manner. 
Male; weight, six or seven pounds or over; length, two 
feet to two feet one or two inches; bill, dull yellow, passing 
towards the tip into dull green; the tooth yellowish white; 
iris, dark brown. Forehead and head on the crown, velvet 
black, with a reflection of purple, as far as the back of the 
head, continuing in a line on each side; the remainder of 
