75 



EIDER (MATURE AND YOUNG). 

 Case 88. 



This fine bird is to be met with round several 

 parts of the Scotch coast and also in a semi- 

 domesticated state on the Fern Islands off the coast 

 of Northumberland. 



The females that nest here appear to select the 

 neighbourhood of the storehouses and other buildings 

 as a kind of protection from the attacks of the 

 larger Gulls which are always on the look-out for 

 any exposed egg. I have frequently observed the 

 egg-gatherer (who has charge of all the birds on the 

 island) stroke them on the back when sitting and 

 even lift them from their nests without their 

 showing the slightest signs of alarm. 



The males sat quietly on the water at a distance 

 of sixty or seventy yards, but did not seem inclined 

 to allow a nearer approach. 



The following description of the Eider which I 

 found in an old History of Scotland, may possibly 

 be interesting if not instructive : - 



" In this island (Lewis) there is a rare species 

 of bird, unknown to other regions, which is called 

 Colcha, little inferior in size to a Goose, all covered 

 with down, and when it hatches it casts its 

 feathers, leaving the whole body naked, after which 

 they betake themselves to the sea, and are never 

 seen again till the next spring. What is also 

 singular in them, their feathers have no quill ; but 

 a fine light down without any hard point, and soft 

 as w r ool, covers the whole body. It has a tuft on 

 its head, resembling that of a peacock, and a train 

 larger than that of a house cock. The hen has not 

 such ornament and beauty." 



The males were shot on the Island of Fidra in 

 the Firth of Forth in May, 1867, the female and 

 brood being obtained near the Island of Ebris 

 about a couple of miles further west during the 

 following month. 



See " Bough Notes," Vol. III., Plates 8 and 10. 



