The terrestrial mammals and birds of North-East Greenland. 101 



Eider. Somateria mollissima L. 



Though the Eider occurred not rarely in the tracts, which were 

 explored by the expedition, it was seen only in relatively small 

 numbers. 



I found the Eider most numerous at Maroussia, Renskæret and 

 other small isles and skerries lying near the field-ice. On the two 

 isles named were nesting some 20 to 30 couples. 



During the navigation through the pack-ice the Eider was ob- 

 served but once; this was just off Koldewey Islands August 14'^ 

 1906; 6 old females were lying here, and one of them secured. 



The north-going sledge-party did not record this species. 



In the summer 1907 the Eiders appeared at their nesting-places 

 on the before mentioned islands June 10"^, but like the other sea- 

 birds, they did not nest this summer. 



In 1908 the first couple of Eiders was seen June 17'^\ 



The common Eider always stayed in salt water — in cracks or 

 openings in the ice — especially near isles and skerries and only 

 exceptionally near the head of the firths — in marked contrast to 

 the King-Eider, which in the beginning of summer always would 

 settle in the fresh waters on the mainland. The first eggs were 

 found in the beginning of July. The nests were built in the most 

 diff"erent localities, as well on shelves on naked rocks as in grassy 

 or stony lowlands. I found some nests from the preceding years 

 on the edges of the old Eskimo burial places on Maroussia and 

 Renskæret; the vegetation here was luxuriant. The number of eggs 

 in a clutch was almost always 4. The males would generally stay 

 near the nests till the end of July. 



Twice I had the opportunity of observing, that some chicks are 

 so late in growth, that they become caught in the new ice. In a 

 little opening in the ice between Baadskæret and the coast I 

 observed October 7*^ 1906 a female with her 4 young ones which 

 had hardly yet attempted to fly though their primaries were fully 

 developed. With a rifle shot I killed one of them, but the thin ice 

 prevented my getting it. The old Duck startled by the shot, flew 

 anxiously around the opening for some moments accompanied by 

 one young one, which soon after however took to the water again. 

 When I visited the place next morning the severe cold of the night 

 had caused the opening to narrow very much and the Duck had 

 disappeared. The young ones were swimming incessantly to and 

 fro in order to prevent the water from freezing. They took no 

 heed of a Polar Fox, which tripped around the opening and took 

 great interest in the birds. The feathers, which were lying around. 



