390 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



easily affected by the cold, and the first frosts are a signal to 

 them to escape to warmer regions. They are found on our 

 larger rivers, but seldom visit the sea. 



The Green-winged Teal, Anus crecca, is more common in 

 the southern states than here. Audubon did not find it in 

 Newfoundland or Labrador ; but there is reason to suppose that 

 it breeds in the fur countries, and near the great lakes ; those 

 which are seen here, are said to be mostly females and young 

 birds, the males pursuing a different route, and not appearing 

 here till the spring. Being more select in feeding than most 

 other ducks, they furnish an excellent article of food. 



The Eider Duck, Fuligula mollissima, is well known as 

 the bird which covers its eggs with down taken from its own 

 breast. This is now become an important article of commerce, 

 and the hunters, not satisfied with taking the down, carry away 

 the eggs also. The female then lays a smaller number of eggs, 

 and strips herself again to cover them. If the nest is a second 

 time robbed, the male bird supplies his down to cover the last 

 laying ; and thus it is, that many in civilized life feather their 

 nests, at the expense of this plundered bird. Formerly they 

 bred in considerable numbers, from Boston eastward ; but they 

 generally go farther north for that purpose, though in winter 

 many of them are shot upon our coast. Audubon, while in 

 Boston, had twenty-one specimens brought him, Avhich two 

 gunners had shot in a single day. The same high authority 

 says that the eider would be domesticated with great ease, and 

 would be invaluable on account of its down, its feathers, and 

 its flesh for food. 



The King Duck, Fuligula spectahilis. is an inhabitant of 

 the northern regions, living, generally, and finding its food, out 

 at sea. Covered with its coat of down, it braves the severity 

 of the arctic season ; but sometimes, in the depth of winter, 

 wanders into our borders. It is said, by old gunners, tliat for- 

 merly they were not rare on our coast, and that they used to 



