50 
try. It leaves the United States in spring to breed 
in more northern regions, and, like the Golden 
Hye, is said to make its nest in hollow trees. 
DUCK, EIDER. 
ANAS MOLLISsIMA, Lin. 
Is very abundant in the northern parts of Scot- 
land and Ireland. It breeds in various parts of 
the former country, more especially in the Northern 
Isles. The Eider Duck is not uncommon in the 
Frith of Forth, about North Berwick, and on the 
coast of Fife. It has been found breeding plenti- 
fully also on the islands of the west coast of 
Norway, where it is strictly protected. The nest 
is formed of dried plants and bits of turf. The 
egos, from five to eight in number, are of a longish 
oval form, smooth and glossy, and of a pale 
greenish gray hue, three inches in length and 
nearly two in breadth. When the eggs are laid, 
the female plucks the down from her breast, and 
deposits it among them, and during the time she 
sits is said to be so tame as even to allow herself 
to be stroked with the hand. 
