34 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



nesting on the Fames in 1908 as nearly three hundred 

 pairs. When sitting, the female bird will often allow a 

 very near approach, and can sometimes be stroked upon 

 the nest. The down of this species is grey in colour, and 

 highly valued for quilts and coverlets, about ilb. being 

 required to make a coverlet for one bed. Unbleached 

 down usually fetches from 125. to 155. per Ib. The eider 

 breeds most commonly on the Brownsman, and also nests 

 on the Wide Opens. The drakes during the breeding 

 season spend all their time out at sea, and do not assist 

 in incubation. The nests are principally composed of sea- 

 weed, and are lined with down plucked from the bird's 

 breast. The eggs are four in number, of an olive green 

 colour. The female bird on leaving the nest covers the 

 eggs with down. This covering not only keeps the eggs 

 warm but protects them from the prying gaze of the lesser 

 black-backed gulls, who prey upon the eggs of this and 

 other species whenever the opportunity occurs. When 

 suddenly disturbed from the nest, the duck has a nasty 

 habit of fouling it, and, as most ornithologists know, the 

 stench thu^s caused is very powerful and disagreeable. 

 Eiders will swallow large mussels, shells and all, as much 

 as 2\ inches in length. 



The Puffin (Fratercula arctica). This species usually 

 arrives on the Fames about April 15, leaving about Sep- 

 tember 5, being a summer migrant. The puffin swarms 

 on the Staples, where it nests in holes burrowed out in the 

 peaty soil by the birds, and in which it deposits its one 

 egg, w ? hich is white in colour. Young puffins are mere 

 balls of black down. It also breeds on the North and 

 South Wamses. The puffin is also known by the name 

 of parrot, on account of its parrot-like beak, and also as 

 Tammy-norie. In many parts of the world, notably St. 

 Kilda and Iceland, puffins are eaten in great numbers by 

 the inhabitants. 



The Guillemot (Uria troile), also called scoot, deposits 

 its one egg, which varies immensely in colour, markings, 

 and size, on the bare rock, and on the Fames is almost 



