50 



try. It leaves the United States in spring to breed 

 in more northern regions, and, like the Golden- 

 Eye, is said to make its nest in hollow trees. 



DUCK, EIDER. 



ANAS MOLLISSIMA, Lin. 



The Eider Duck is very abundant in the northern 

 parts of Scotland and Ireland. It breeds in various 

 parts of the former country, more especially in the 

 Northern Isles. The Eider Duck is not uncommon 

 in the Frith of Forth, about North Berwick, and on 

 the coast of Fife. It has been found breeding plen- 

 tifully also on the islands of the west coast of 

 Norway, where it is strictly protected. The nest 

 is formed of dried plants and bits of turf. The 

 eggs, from five to eight in number, are of a longish 

 oval form, smooth and glossy, and of a pale 

 greenish grey hue, three inches in length and 

 nearly two in breadth. When the eggs are laid, 

 the female plucks the down from her breast, and 

 deposits it among them, and during the time she 

 sits is said to be so tame as even to allow herself 

 to be stroked with the hand. 



