THE KING DUCK. 465 



posing that from Greenland and Iceland alone there are ex- 

 ported about six thousand pounds, it will be seen that these 

 are taken from seventy-two thousand nests. As, at least, three- 

 fourths of this quantity come from Greenland, and as the 

 Greenlanders seldom allow the eggs to remain, even when half- 

 hatched, and kill the bird at all seasons and under all circum- 

 stances, it is inexplicable that its decrease is not greater." 



In Sweden, as in England, the flesh of the eider is looked 

 upon as coarse, fishy, and nearly uneatable ; but all killed by 

 us went nevertheless into the pot, and when properly pre- 

 pared were not unpalatable to people at least who bad not 

 always the opportunity of enjoying a good dinner. 



The accompanying illustration faithfully depicts the nature 

 of our Skargard ; as also the way in which we were accus- 

 tomed to bear down on eider-ducks and other water-fowl, in 

 my little boat measuring less than sixteen feet from stem to 

 stern during a stiff breeze of wind. 



A further description of the Chasse of the eider, which 

 bird came much under our personal observation, and of 

 the methods adopted in Scandinavia to effect its capture, 

 will be given hereafter. 



The King Duck (Prakt-Ejder, or Beautiful Eider, Sw. ; 

 8. spectabilis, Leach) was never observed either by ourselves, 

 or M. von Wright, in the neighbouring Skargard. It is 

 rarely, if ever, seen indeed on the western coast of Sweden. 

 But on the eastern coast though, according to Ekstrom, not 

 an annual visitor it is not very uncommon. In the more 

 northern parts of Scandinavia, it is, M. Malm informs us, 

 found winter as well as summer, in all the fjords and inlets 

 on the coast of Finmark (?). 



The king duck the male is somewhat less than the 



VOL. II. H H 



