AQUATIC FOWL. 



IG9 



THB EIDER DUCK. 



The nest, placed on the ground, is composed of marine plants, 

 and lined with down of exquisite fineness, which the female 

 plucks from her body, three quarters of an ounce of which is 

 sufficient to fill the crown of a hat ; it is of admirable lightness 

 and elasticity; it is an article of extensive commerce in Iceland. 

 Both male and female work in concert, in building their nest, and 

 the female carefully covers the eggs, with her down, when she 

 retires for food. Two females frequently associate together in 

 one nest, and incubate in perfect harmony. The down found in 

 a nest is said to be about half a pound. It is a remarkable fact 

 that the down taken from dead birds does not possess the elas- 

 ticity of that found in the nest : on that account the Norwegians 

 are prohibited, by law, from killing the Eider, for their down. 

 Greenland and Iceland abound with them, and they are numerous 

 on the coast of Labrador. Their flesh is much esteemed, but 

 rather fishy. Sir George Mackenzie, during his travels in Ice- 

 land, had an opportunity of observing the Eider ducks, assembled, 

 for the great work of incubation. The boat, in its approach to 



