* 10 THE DUCK, 



of the utmost consequence. If her mistress prefers 

 to have her hatch a brood of ducks instead of her 

 own offspring, she adopts the little strangers, and 

 brings them up with the same care as if they had 

 been her own. 



THE EIDER DUCK. 



How large is the Eider Duck ? 



The Eider Duck is two feet three inches long, and 

 with the wings spread, three feet in extent ; being 

 about the size of a common goose. 



What is the colour ot the Eider Duck ? 



The colour of the male, from the throat to the 

 breast, and along the back, is white. The quill fea- 

 thers, the tail, and all the under parts are black ; there 

 is also a patch of black on each side of the head, in- 

 cluding the eyes, and a part of the bill. 



The colour s of the female is reddish brown, 

 curiously marked with spots of black and red ; the 

 quill feathers and tail are black ; and the bill and 

 legs yellow. 



Where does this Duck live ? 



This Duck inhabits the Western Isles of Scotland, 

 the sea coasts of Norway, Greenland, and Iceland, 

 and the northern parts of North America. 



The Eider Duck has long been celebrated, on ac- 

 count of the down which it affords, and which, in 

 Europe and America, is considered a great luxury, on 

 account of its lightness and warmth. 



This is called Eider down, and comes from Lap- 

 land and Iceland, in which countries these birds are 

 found in great numbers. 



