EIDER DUCK. 299 



side the Channel, M. Baillon, of Ahbeville, procured a 

 female which was killed in Picardy, during the middle of 

 summer ; and Pollidore Roux included the Eider Duck 

 among the birds found in Provence. 



The most southern locality in this country at which this 

 species is known to breed regularly, is that which was 

 visited by Pennant in July 1 769, and has been frequently 

 visited by Mr. Selby, namely, the Fern Islands, situated 

 upon the northern coast of Northumberland. Here, the 

 latter gentleman observes, " these birds, if protected, would 

 soon become very numerous, and might be made a source 

 of productive wealth, as they afford, in great abundance, 

 that fine and elastic down known by their name, and 

 which, as an article of luxury, produces an exorbitant 

 price. This consideration, however, has hitherto been 

 lost sight of, and the eggs of the Eider have been taken 

 indiscriminately with those of the Gull, Guillemot, &c. 

 and sold for a mere trifle to the inhabitants of the main 

 land. In consequence, the young annually produced have 

 been few, and those only of the later or second hatchings. 

 The last season, however, proved more fortunate to all 

 the feathered inhabitants of the islands, as they were pro- 

 tected from extensive depredation by the gentleman em- 

 ployed as architect to erect a light-house upon one of the 

 outer rocks. A very numerous brood of all the species, 

 but particularly of the Eiders, was the consequence of 

 this care. About April these birds are seen assembling 

 in groups along the shores of the main land, from whence 

 they cross over to the islands early in May. As soon as 

 the females begin to lay, which is usually about the 20th, 

 the drakes leave them, and again spread themselves along 

 the adjoining coast. The usual number of eggs is five, of 

 a pale asparagus green, and rather large, measuring three 



