DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 199 



is more familiar than the bird itself. Although 

 somewhat clumsy in appearance, the male Eider is 

 a singularly handsome and conspicuous bird con- 

 spicuous, one might say, when standing on the 

 rocks or paddling about the still water near the 

 shore, but even in a very moderately rough sea the 

 bird is detected with difficulty, especially at a 

 distance, for the white crests and dark waves 

 effectually harmonise with, and conceal, its striking 

 piebald plumage. The two predominating colours 

 of the male Eider are black and white, the latter 

 occupying most of the upper surface, the former 

 most of the lower ; the head, however, is variously 

 marked with black, white, and pale green. The 

 female is dark chestnut -brown, variegated with 

 brownish-black. The Eider Duck is so thoroughly 

 sea-going in its habits, that it rarely even flies over 

 the land, except to reach its nest, and will rather 

 follow the windings of the coast than cross even a 

 narrow headland., In our islands it is practically 

 sedentary, only wandering south a little way during 

 winter. Its favourite haunts are rocky islands and 

 coasts, where bays and quiet fjords offer it a haven 

 of safety. The Eider is not so gregarious as many 

 other Ducks, but it may be seen in parties all the 

 year round, the drakes keeping company on the sea 

 while their partners are on their nests, and when 

 these latter come off them to feed, all join into a 

 scattered company. The male bird is exceptionally 

 wary at all times, but the female during the nesting 



