BIRDS. 425 



high or low, is generally composed of singular materials. The 

 longest grass mixed with heath, and lined with the bird's own 

 feathers, usually go to the composition : however, in proportion 

 as the climate is colder, the nest is more artificially made, and 

 more warmly lined. In the Arctic regions, nothing can exceed 

 the great care, all of this kind take, to protect their eggs from 

 the intenseness of the weather. While the gull and the penguin 

 kind seem to disregard the severest cold, the duck, in those 

 regions, forms itself a hole to lay in, shelters the approach, lines 

 it with a layer of long grass and clay ; within that another of 

 moss ; and, lastly, a warm coat of feathers, or down. The 

 eider duck is particularly remarkable for the warmth of its nest. 

 This bird, which, as was eaid, is above twice as large as the 

 common duck, and resides in the colder climates, lays from six 

 to eight eggs, making her nest among the rocks or the plants 

 along the sea-shore. The external materials of the nest are 

 such as are in common with the rest of the kind ; but the inside 

 lining, on which the eggs are immediately deposited, is at once 

 the softest, warmest, and the lightest substance, with which we 

 are acquainted. This is no other than the inside down which 

 covers the breast of the bird in the breeding season. This the 

 female plucks off with her bill, and furnishes the inside of her 

 nest with a tapestry more valuable than the most skilful artists can 

 produce. The natives watch the place where she begins to build, 

 and, suffering her to lay, take away both the eggs and the nest. 

 The duck, however, not discouraged by the first disappointment, 

 builds and lays in the same place a second time ; and this they 

 in the same manner take away ; the third time she builds, but 

 the drake must supply the down from his breast to line the nest 

 with : and if this be robbed, they both forsake the place, and 

 breed there no more. This down the natives take care to sepa- 

 rate from the dirt and moss with which it is mixed ; and though 

 no people stand in more need of a warm covering than them- 

 selves, yet their necessities compel them to sell it to the more 

 indolent and luxurious inhabitants of the south for brandy and 

 tobacco.* 



♦ The Kidors have some analogy with the geese, but more with Hii' duck. 

 They live on fish or shell-fish. 



The Kidcr dui'k is priiiciiially fdiiiul in the western Islands of .'x.'otland, 

 and uu tliu cuubts ul Norway, Icc'laiid, and (ivi'cnhuid. U« bill is black, and 



2 N -J 



