LIST OF ANIMALS OF SPIT/IiKlUiF.X. 15-) 



them anJ tlio air a thick covering, wliicli tlic cold m-ou1c1 ic- 

 qnire some time to penetrate, but it was otherwise useful 

 from its being of so very offensive a nature that the foxes 

 i would not touch the eggs that were tainted with it. If it 

 i happened that they were suddenly surprised, and compelled 

 I to take wing without making this provision for the safety of 

 ij their young, they flew to a short distance only, and unless 

 ■ the danger was very imminent, would return almost imme- 

 diately and cover up their nests, after which they took flight 

 with apparently less solicitude. In Norway, these birds 

 make their nests and lie amongst the juniper bushes ; but 

 here they build them amongst the rocks and loose stones 

 upon the small islets off" the coast. The down is of that 

 tenacious character that it adheres to every rough substance 

 it touches, and thus eflcctually prevents the nests being over- 

 turned or blown away by strong winds. The quantity of 

 down required for one of these nests deprives the parent of 

 a great portion of the down upon its breast, which is in con- 

 sequence left nearly bare for a considerable time ; and it is 

 quite pitiable to observe the condition of those which have, 

 probably, been obliged to make a second nest. The males 

 may also be seen occasionally with their breasts denu.ded of 

 down, from their having contributed to the formation of the 

 nest. They are the constant attendants upon the ducks 

 whilst they are sitting, and frequently procure food for them ; 

 they also assist in the defence of the young, and may some- 

 times be seen keeping the eggs warm whilst the ducks have 

 gone to a distance to procure food. Here, however, their 

 attentions appear to end for the season, for toward the close 

 of the summer the drakes assemble and take their selfish de- 

 parture, leaving the ducks to find their own way, and to help 

 their young along in the best manner they can. In due time, 

 however, they also take their departure, and immense flocks 

 of adults and young may be met a hundred miles or more 

 from land, slowly migrating to the southward, some of the 



