CUTHBERT EIDER. 



down, which is reduced one-half after it is cleaned. 

 This down is of such value, when in its purity, that 

 it is sold in Lapland for two rixdollars a pound : it 

 is extremely soft and warm, and so light and ex- 

 pansive, that a couple of handsful squeezed together 

 are sufficient to fill a quilt five feet square. Pennant 

 observes, that a quantity found in one nest more than 

 filled the crown of a hat, yet weighed no more than 

 three quarters of an ounce. The down taken from 

 the nests is most valued, and termed live down; that 

 plucked from the dead bird being less elastic, and but 

 little esteemed. There are generally exported from 

 Iceland, every year, by the Iceland Company at 

 Copenhagen, 1500 or 2000 pounds weight of down, 

 cleaned and uncleaned, exclusively of what is privately 

 exported by foreigners. In the year 17-50 this com- 

 pany sold so much in quantity of this article as pro- 

 duced 3747 rixdollars, besides what was sent directly 

 to Gluckstadt. 



Eiders associate together in flocks, generally in 

 deep waters, diving for shell-fish, which constitute 

 their principal food : they frequently retire to the rocky 

 shores to rest, particularly on the appearance of an ap- 

 proaching storm. The Greenlanders kill them with 

 darts, pursuing them in theirlittle boats, watching their 

 course by the air bubbles when they dive, and always 

 striking at them when they rise to the surface wearied. 

 Their flesh is valued as food, and their skins are made 

 into .warm and comfortable under garments. 



Several attempts have been made to domesticate 

 these birds, but hitherto without success: they are 

 said to live to a great age. 



