178 BIRDS. 



We insert this here, as we have good reason and good 

 authority for supposing this nest to have been that of the 

 Long-tailed Duck, and we thus notice it as a guide for future 

 observers. Certainly it would be more likely, from what we 

 know of the habits of the two birds in other countries, to have 

 been that of a Long-tailed Duck than a Smew. 



Somateria mollissima (L.). Eider Duck. 

 Ore. = Dunter. 



As this is a species that is rapidly spreading all along our west 

 and north coasts, we have entered more fully into its history than 

 might otherwise have appeared necessary. 



Wallace in his Description says : " Here is plenty both of wild 

 and tame fowls Dunter Goose " but gives no exact localities. 



Low in his Tour mentions that he saw numbers of Eider 

 Ducks swimming about near the Calf of Flotta, and that, 

 although he was too early for eggs, yet he found several of 

 the nests of the previous year, with the down still remaining 

 in them, as the inhabitants made no use of it. On Hunda 

 he says that the " Dunter " sometimes builds there, but he seems 

 not to have met with this species elsewhere in his Tour, or at 

 least does not mention the fact. 



Barry, in his History of Orkney, page 294, says : " THE 

 EIDER DUCK. It is our Dunter Duck, and frequents all 

 our sounds and bays in winter, and leaves us in the spring, 

 with the exception of a few that breed in the holm of Papa 

 Westray, where they form their nests of seaweed, and pluck 

 the rich, soft down from their own breasts to line them." 



In the Statistical Account of Orkney, page 88, it is stated : 

 " It remains in Sanday all the year, and breeds there." 



Dunn, in all the places where he mentions this bird, seems 

 to consider it as rare, commoner in winter than in summer, " a 

 few pairs " remaining to breed. 



Mr. B. M. E/anken mentions that he saw " a flight of eight 

 birds, consisting of the parents and six young ones to-day (May 

 30th, 1845), at Carness. Five of the young were males in 

 somewhat different stages of plumage, well feathered, and 

 almost as large as their parents. Dr. Duguid was with me." 



