* 
DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 199 
is more familiar than the bird itself. Although 
somewhat clumsy in appearance, the male Eider is 
a singularly handsome and conspicuous bird—con- 
spicuous, one might say, when standing on the 
rocks or paddling about the still water near the 
shore, but even in a very moderately rough sea the 
bird is detected with difficulty, especially at a 
distance, for the white crests and dark waves 
effectually harmonise with, and conceal, its striking 
piebald plumage. The two predominating colours 
of the male Eider are black and white, the latter 
occupying most of the upper surface, the former 
most of the lower; the head, however, is variously 
marked with black, white, and pale green. The 
female is dark chestnut-brown, variegated with 
brownish-black. The Eider Duck is so thoroughly 
sea-going in its habits, that it rarely even flies over 
the land, except to reach its nest, and will rather 
follow the windings of the coast than cross even a 
narrow headland. In our islands it is practically 
sedentary, only wandering south a little way during 
winter. Its favourite haunts are rocky islands and 
coasts, where bays and quiet fjords offer it a haven 
of safety. The Eider is not so gregarious as many 
other Ducks, but it may be seen in parties all the 
year round, the drakes keeping company on the sea 
while their partners are on their nests, and when 
these latter come off them to feed, all join into a 
scattered company. The male bird is exceptionally 
wary at all times, but the female during the nesting 
