BRITISH BIRDS. 347 



small straggling parties. They fly swiftly, but 

 seldom to a great distance, making a loud and 

 singular cry. They are expert divers, and are sup- 

 posed to live chiefly upon shell-fish. 



The female, it is said, makes her nest among the 

 grass near the water, lined, like that of the Eider 

 Duck, with her own equally valuable down. Her 

 eggs are of a bluish white colour, about the size of 

 those of a Pullet. Latham says she lays five; 

 others assert that the number is " seldom fewer 

 than ten, and often as many as fourteen or fifteen." 

 Some are of opinion that the latter number may 

 be the produce of two females, as is said to be the 

 case with the Eider Duck. When the young are 

 hatched, the mother carries them to the water in 

 her bill. 



