THE EIDEK DUCK 



(Somateria mollissima) 



THE Eider is one of the most beautiful of the Sea Ducks, 

 but is rather locally distributed, never breeding farther 

 south than the Feme Islands. The Eider Duck loves a wild 

 rocky coast, where it can rear its young in seclusion. Except 

 during the breeding season this interesting bird seldom leaves 

 the sea. It may sometimes be seen standing on the low 

 rocks, but it usually keeps well out to sea, sleeping safely on 

 the rolling waves. It is during the early summer months 

 that the habits of the Eider Duck are by far the most inter- 

 esting and the most readily observed. Then you may watch 

 parties of these charming ducks swimming close inshore. 

 They love to draw landwards with the flowing tide, and swim 

 just outside the waves that turn over and break on the beach. 

 I often conceal myself amongst the rocks high up the shore 

 and watch the movements of these feeding Eider Ducks. 

 How can one describe the beauty of such a scene ? How can 

 the pen convey to paper the charm encircling rock and dark 

 green sea, the roar of the surging tide, the deep blue sky, the 

 health-giving invigorating breeze, the snow-white sea-birds, 

 and the floating Eiders, tossed like corks on the mighty 

 rollers, which heave and swell and turn clean over, breaking 

 into a million liquid fragments on the sandy beach ? Such is 

 a little of the poetic side of Ornithology. 



The Eider Duck is an expert diver, and it is most inter- 



