LXIX. EIDEE DUCK, OE ST CUTHBEKT'S DUCK. 



A FEW are to be seen swimming about in Loch Moidart, Loch- 

 na-Nuah, Loch Ailort, and about Arisaig Point. They breed on 

 the coast here, and on the rocky islands at the mouths of the 

 different sea lochs on much the same sort of places as the 

 Sheldrake or the Merganser. The eggs are surrounded with 

 down, whiter and of a finer quality than that of the Merganser 

 or Sheldrake. They are very numerous in Iceland, where they 

 are strictly protected, the down being an article of commerce, 

 worth twelve shillings per Ib. They build about the houses 

 near the sea, sometimes on the turf with which the roofs are 

 covered, and sometimes on the ground. They are very tame. 

 One that we came across sat quite quiet and unconcerned in 

 her nest while I sketched her. The down may be taken from 

 the nests once or twice, but if they are robbed a third time the 

 birds are unable to renew it, and desert their nests. The male 

 and female differ very much in plumage, the male being nearly 

 all white, with a dark breast, a black spot on the crown of the 

 head, and a green patch on the cheek. The female is brown 

 the colour of the female of the Black Grouse which it also 

 somewhat resembles in flight. 



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