74 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



It inhabits the islands and coasts from Norton Sound northward to 

 Point Barrow. On St. Michael's Island, Alaska, it breeds in company 

 with the Pacific Eider S. v-nigra. The eggs measure from 2.35 to 

 2.57 long by 1.55 to 1.85 broad. 



159. Somateria mollissima (Linn.) [627.] 



Eider.' 



Hab. Northern Europe and Northeastern North America, including Greenland and Northern Labra- 

 dor; south in winter on the Atlantic Coast to Maine. 



The Bider, so famous for its down, which has become an article 

 of commerce and luxury, is common along the Northern Atlantic 

 coasts of Europe and America. The great demand for its down has 

 caused the inhabitants of Iceland, Norway, and other parts of Europe 

 to protect it during the breeding season. In these places the Eider be- 

 comes very tame. It is a resident of Greenland, where it nests in the 

 latter part of June or the first week of July. On some of the small 

 islands on the coast of Iceland it has become almost domesticated, 

 breeding in vast numbers, nesting on the grass}'^ banks, between large 

 stones, on rocks, and in every available hollow which will hold the 

 nest. The nest is made of sea-weed, lined with the down plucked from 

 the breast of the bird. This is augmented as incubation proceeds and 

 the quantity of down often becomes so great that the eggs are con- 

 cealed from view. The eggs range from six to ten in number, greenish 

 drab, and measure 2.97 by 2.01. 



160. Somateria dresseri Sharpe. [627a.] 



American £ider. 



Hab. Atlantic coast of North America, from Maine to Labrador; south in winter to the Delaware. 



The American Eider breeds along the Atlantic coast of North 

 America from Maine to Northern Labrador. On Grand Manan and 

 some of the smaller islands in that vicinity this duck formerly nested 

 in great numbers, but from constant persecution its numbers have 

 been greatly diminished. It is one of the most characteristic summer 

 ducks of Labrador and Newfoundland. Mr. Frazar found this Eider 

 breeding commonly on small islands on the coast of Labrador, making 

 the nest in the short, soft grass. The favorite nesting place was at 

 the foot of some large rock, or in the nooks between rocks, where the 

 birds found shelter from the wind. They were always made of the 

 slate-colored down from the breasts of the birds. Most of the nests 

 contained four or five eggs ; a large number six, two seven and one 



^According to Prof. Ridgway the American bird proves not to be the true S. inoUissuna of Northern 

 Europe, but a fairly distinguishable race, called Greenland Eider, S. mollissima borealis Brehm, iuhabiling 

 Northeastern North America, including Greenland, etc., as in the above habitat. For description of this 

 race see Manual North American Birds, p. 109. 



