QO EIDER DUCK. 



favourite resort, and within the ruined and deserted 

 walls several have been accustomed to lay. They seem 

 to prefer islands for the purpose, but also to make use 

 of hollows in rocks on the mainland, and sand-banks 

 along the sea-shore. Great numbers are frequently 

 placed close together, so that it is hardly possible to 

 walk among them without treading on some. 



It seems that at first the nest has only grass, 

 lichens, or sea-weed, for its composition, but when all, 

 or nearly all, the eggs are laid, down, plucked by the 

 female from herself, is daily added, the quantity being 

 then successively increased. If the bird leaves her 

 charge for a time, the eggs are carefully covered over 

 and concealed, either with down, or grass and leaves, 

 according as each has been supplied. 



The eggs, of a light green colour, are usually 

 five in number, but not very unfrequently as many as 

 eight or even ten are found together, two birds having 

 laid in the same place. Both, it appears in that case, 

 sit together in an amicable manner. 



