KING EIDER 
162. Somateria spectabilis. 23 in. 
The feathers of the sides of the bill of this species 
do not reach to the nostril, while in the two preceding 
ones, they do. This is the chief point of difference in 
distinguishing the females, which very closely resembl. 
each other. Adult males, as can be seen, are very dif- 
ferent from the other Eiders. As is usual with the 
Hiders, the male of this species moults to a plumage 
resembling that of the female, during the late summer, 
when he has shed his wing feathers and is, for a period 
flightless. This is a part of Nature’s plan to give her 
feathered children protection when they most need it. 
While the females are sitting upon the eggs, they are 
deserted by the males, which congregate in large flocks, 
and drift aimlessly about until ‘joined by the females 
in Fall. 
Nest.—A depression in the ground, lined with feath- 
ers. Eggs like those of the last species. 
Range.—Breeds from northern Labrador and the Aleu- 
tian Islands, Alaska, northward; winters south to Maine 
and easually to Long Island Sound. 
