320 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



EIDER DUCK 



Somateria mollissima {LinncBUs) 



The common Eider is a resident in the British Islands, but 

 is only known to breed in England in one locality, viz, the 

 Fame Islands, Northumberland ; but over the rest of our 

 coasts, excepting Scotland, it is rare, and only met with 

 occasionally. It is also found inhabiting the northern por- 

 tions of the Western Palsearctic region. 



In food and habits it calls for no special comment. This 

 bird is noted for the down with which its nest is lined, and 

 for this reason is very strictly protected in many places abroad. 

 The down in the first two nests is seldom allowed to remain, 

 but the Duck is allowed to hatch after lining the nest a third 

 time. 



The Drakes are extremely handsome. The head and neck 

 are black, with a white line running backwards from the crown 

 to the nape, which is green. The cheeks, back, wing-coverts, 

 and long sickle-shaped secondaries (characteristic of the Eider 

 Ducks) white. Wings, rump, and tail black ; breast warm 

 buff; rest of under parts black; bill and legs greenish. In 

 the "eclipse" plumage the whole of the head and white 

 portion of the body (except the wing-coverts) become dull 

 brownish black. The female is principally brown and black. 

 Length 23 in. ; wing 11 in. 



HOODED MERGANSER 



Mergus cucullatus {Linncsus) 



The Hooded Merganser is a rare nomadic autumn and 

 winter migrant to our shores. It is a North American species. 

 Its distinguishing feature is a semicircular black crest and a 

 broad patch or bar of white behind the eye. The adult female 

 has the crest reddish brown, and is rather smaller in size than 

 the male. Length 19 in. ; wing 775 in. 



