86 EIDER DUCK. 



remark applies to the Hebrides and the Shetland Islands. 



In Ireland it is known, but is rare. 



The Eider is entirely a bird of the ocean, and of its 

 estuaries fresh water being uncongenial to it. Meyer writes 

 as follows: 'Small islands that slope gradually into the sea, 

 the Eider Duck chooses by preference; there they may be 

 seen to sun themselves on the sands in fine weather in the 

 morning. The time of roosting is the middle of the day, 

 which is most frequently enjoyed on the liquid element. 

 During the night this bird is chiefly employed in feeding, 

 and its movements from place to place are performed morning 

 and evening.' 



These birds can hardly be said to migrate, but rather to 

 wander, and at such times, as also when the females are 

 accompanied by their young, they are most difficult to be 

 approached, even with a boat or vessel of any kind. 



If undisturbed they seem to be very fearless. Mr. Hewitson 

 mentions that among some of the islands in Norway, where 

 they are preserved, they would even suffer the old man who 

 had the care of them to stroke them on the back. Others, 

 in Iceland, allowed Sir William Hooker to touch them while 

 they were sitting, without appearing to be at all alarmed. 

 They go together in large and small flocks in the winter, 

 and generally keep in deep water, diving for their food. The 

 Greenlanders esteem them for the table; but 'what is one 

 man's food is another man's poison,' and I should be inclined 

 to suppose that there are many other dishes which would 

 be preferred by an Englishman's appetite. The young have 

 been successfully reared in confinement at Knowsley, Lord 

 Derby's, and others brought up by Mr. Selby from the egg 

 lived for a year; like instances have also been recorded. 



They dive with ease, and can remain under water for a 

 long time. If suddenly surprised they endeavour by this 

 mode to escape pursuit; but if approached in a boat at 

 'long range.' generally take wing. They fly strongly and 

 well, at a rate, it has been computed, of more than ninety 

 miles an hour. Their walk on the land is unsteady, and as 

 if performed laboriously. 



They feed on mussels and other shell-fish, small crabs and 

 other Crustacea, and the fry of fishes. 



'In some countries,' as mentioned by Meyer, 'this bird is 

 properly protected by the laws, which punish those who 

 molest them with a fine of some eight or ten dollars; but 



