40 EIDER DUCK. 



inferior, being, as Pontoppidan says, far from as light as 

 what the female plucks to form a bed for its young. It is 

 on this account that it is prohibited by the laws of Norway 

 to kill the Eiders for their down.' 



The Eider Duck begins to pair in March, and to lay about 

 the beginning of the last week in May, that is to say, in 

 this country. Incubation lasts from three weeks to a month. 

 The male bird at this period leaves his mate, and repairs 

 to the open sea. The young, as soon as hatched, are led by 

 the dam to the water, and in some instances, it appears 

 certain that they must be carried by her in her bill. They 

 gradually venture out farther and farther till able entirely 

 to provide for themselves. Von Troil says that the female 

 at first takes them on her back a little way, and then 

 dives, and leaves them to 'sink or swim.' 



In England the Eiders build so far south as the Fern 

 Islands and Coquet Island. In one of the former the remains 

 of an old lighthouse appears to be a favourite resort, and 

 within the ruined and deserted walls several have been 

 accustomed to lay. They seem to prefer islands for the 

 purpose, but also make use of hollows in rocks on the 

 mainland, and sand-banks along the sea-shore. Great numbers 

 are frequently placed close together, so that it is hardly 

 possible to walk along them without treading on some. 



With reference to what has been already stated, it seems 

 that the nest has at first only grass, lichens, or sea-weed for 

 its composition, but when all or nearly all the eggs are 

 laid, down, plucked by the female from herself, is daily 

 added, the quantity being then successively increased. If 

 the bird leaves her charge for a time, the eggs are carefully 

 covered over and concealed, either with down, or grass and 

 leaves, according as each has been supplied. 



The eggs, of a light green colour, are usually five in 

 number, but not very unfrequently as many as eight or 

 even ten are found together, two birds having laid in the 

 same place. Both, it appears in that case, sit together in 

 an amicable manner. 



Male; weight, six or seven pounds or over; length, two 

 feet to two feet one or two inches; bill, dull yellow, passing 

 towards the tip into dull green; the tooth yellowish white; 

 ifis, dark brown. Forehead and head on the crown, velvet 

 black, with a reflection of purple, as far as the back of the 

 head, continuing in a line on each side; the remainder of 



