146 BRITISH BIRDS, THEIR EGGS AND NESIS. 
name, to some of us by sight, breeds in some marshes on the 
Farne islands, and in many of the islands on the coast of Scotland. 
The nests are principally composed, on a foundation of sea-weed 
or grass, of the beautiful light elastic down, commonly known as 
Eider-down; and if the first is plundered, a second, and even a 
third are formed ; but the down decreases in quality and quantity 
in each successive instance. The first accumulation is so large 
and springy as quite to conceal the eggs contained, which are 
usually five in number, and are of a light-green colour, about three 
inches long by two wide. The lining of one nest, admitting of 
easy compression by the hand, is described py Mr. Hewitson as 
capable, when fully expanded, of filling a man’s hat. 
253. KING DUCK—(Somateria spectadiiis). 
A much rarer bird than the last; indeed occurring only very 
casually. It has been known to breed in one of the Orkney 
Islands, while Iceland, Nova Zembla, Spitzergen, and like locali- 
ties, are the great breeding haunts of the species. The nests are 
made on the ground, and contain five eggs, very closely resem- 
bling the Hider-duck’s, except in size. They are rather less. 
254, STELLER’S WESTERN DUCK—(Polysticta Stelleri). 
Exceedingly rare in Britain, and not much less so, it seems, in 
Europe generally. 
255. VELVET SCOTER—(Oidemia fusca). 
Velvet Duck.—A winter visitor, and rare on our south coasts. 
More common in the far north of Britain. 
256. COMMON SCOTER—(O:demia nigra). 
Scoter, Black Scoter, Black Duck, Black Diver—This dusky- 
coloured Duck is seen in»considerable numbers on various parts 
of our coasts in winter, and always swimming and diving in 
what may be called “ loose order,” like the Coots rather than any 
