COMMON EIDER. 617 



line, and only half as far as those on the side of the bill, whilst in examples 

 belonging to the typical form they project on the forehead almost as far 

 as at the sides of the bill. 



In the Pacific the Eider is represented by a very close ally, Somateria 

 v-nigrum. It is a slightly larger bird, but scarcely differs in colour except 

 that it possesses the black V-shaped mark on the throat which is also 

 found in the King Eider. Its breeding-range extends from the shores of 

 Eastern Siberia across Behring Straits, as far east as the mouth of the 

 Mackenzie River. It winters in Behring Sea. 



No bird is more maritime in its habits than the Eider. It rarely, if 

 ever, leaves the sea, and seldom flies over the land, always preferring to 

 follow the coast-line rather than cross even a narrow headland. It is a 

 bird which seems very little affected by cold, and so long as the water is 

 open it remains in its usual haunts. When driven southwards by prolonged 

 frosts it does not go far, only to the nearest open water, and returns to its 

 old haunts as soon as the thaw commences. It is therefore practically a 

 resident, and may be seen on the sea, or on the islands where it breeds, all 

 the year round. It loves to frequent precipitous islands and small un- 

 inhabited sea-girt rocks, breeding on them and obtaining its food in the 

 surrounding sea. It is more or less gregarious at all times, but collects 

 into much larger flocks in winter than in summer. Sometimes it is met 

 with at a considerable distance from land, and when undergoing its annual 

 change of quill-feathers it usually keeps well out at sea, as if fully aware 

 of its helplessness and danger. It is a day-feeder, and appears to spend 

 the night on the land. It is one of the earliest birds astir in the morning, 

 going down to the sea to feed at the first streak of dawn. In winter 

 the Eider is remarkably shy and wary ; but in the breeding-season, 

 especially when the eggs are highly incubated, the female is often very 

 tame, sometimes allowing herself to be touched by the hand as she sits on 

 her nest. The male, however, is at all times very vigilant, and it is only 

 by the most careful stalking that he can be approached within gun- 

 shot. The Eider is an expert diver, obtaining most of its food in this 

 manner, often remaining for a considerable time below the surface. It is 

 also very fond of feeding close in-shore, swimming just outside the breakers, 

 often diving through the waves as they turn over, and searching for the 

 small crustaceans and other creatures on which it feeds. It does not often 

 associate with other species, except with its close ally the King Eider. It 

 swims quickly, often eluding danger by this means, and rides buoyant as 

 a foam-fleck on the roughest waves. Its flight is moderately quick and 

 powerful, and it rises from the water with less effort than many other 

 Ducks. 



It is not known that the Eider ever takes any vegetable food. It lives 

 almost exclusively on small crustaceans, marine insects, and shell-fish. 



VOL. in. 2 s 



