EIDEK DUCK 137 



patch of white in front of the eye, and a smaller one 

 behind it. 



Adult winter, male and female. Similar to the respective 

 nuptial plumages. 



Immature, male and female. Kesembles the female 

 plumage, but "more rusty-looking" (Coburn). 



BEAK. Bluish-black. 



FEET. Lead-colour. 



IRIDES. Orange-red. 



EGG. Cream-colour : clutch, seven. 



AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH 17 in. 



WING ... 8 



BEAK 1*25 ,, 



TARSO-METATARSUS ... 1'3 ,, 



EGG... ... ... 2-2 x T7 in. 



EIDER DUCK. Somateria mollissima (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain.' vol. v, pi. 

 26 ; Dresser, Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pi. 445 ; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. 52; Booth, 'Bough Notes,' 

 vol. iii, pis. 8, 9, 10. 



The Eider Duck is an uncommon winter-visitor to the 

 British Isles. However, along the north-eastern coast of 

 England, and in certain districts in Scotland, where it is 

 partially resident, it occurs in considerable numbers. On 

 the Irish sea-board it is only a rare and an uncertain 

 migrant in winter. 



In its habits no Duck is more thoroughly maritime. 

 Storm seldom dislodges it from its home on the deep, and 

 even during the most dismal tempest, parties of Eiders may 

 be seen, far out at sea, actively swimming and diving 

 through the great rolling billows. Except in the nesting- 

 season the Eider is seldom found on inland waters. Mr. 

 Ussher, in ' The Birds of Ireland/ records two instances of 

 its occurrence on Lough Neagh. This bird is not difficult 

 to recognise on the open sea. Its superior size distinguishes 



