THE DUCK FAMILY. 2/ 



cited of places in northern latitudes where the gather- 

 ing of eggs, birds or feathers forms at certain seasons 

 of the year the principal industry of the people. 



A familiar species, whose economic importance to 

 dwellers in high latitudes can hardly be overestimated, 

 is the well-known eider duck. This bird is occasionally 

 shot on the Long Island coast in winter, and is then a 

 common visitor to northern New England. Its slightly 

 differing forms breed on the sea-coasts of the northern 

 parts of the world, and are very abundant in the Arctic 

 regions. 



In Greenland, Iceland and Norway the breeding 

 grounds of the eider duck are protected by laws which 

 have the universal support of the inhabitants. Indeed, 

 these breeding grounds are handed down from father 

 to son as property of great value. Every effort is made 

 to foster and encourage the birds. Sometimes cattle 

 are removed from islands where they have been rang- 

 ing in order that the ducks may breed there undis- 

 turbed, and a careful watch is kept against depreda- 

 tions by dogs and foxes. According to Dr. Stejneger : 

 "The inhabitants [of parts of Norway] take great care 

 of the breeding birds, which often enter their houses to 

 find suitable nesting places, and cases are authenticated 

 in which the poor fisherman vacated his bed in order 

 not to disturb the female eider which had selected it as 

 a quiet corner wherein to raise her young. In another 

 instance the cooking of a family had to be done in a 

 temporary kitchen, as a -fanciful bird had taken up her 

 abode on the fireplace." 



