THE EIDER-DUCK. 199 



this continued till some other Ducks were procured, 

 when, being constantly driven out of the house, it 

 gradually associated itself with its more natural 

 companions. 



Another case was that of a pair of Muscovy Ducks, 

 which were landed at Holyhead, from a Liverpool 

 vessel returning from the coast of Africa. The 

 male was conveyed to a gentleman's house in the 

 neighbourhood, and introduced to a flock of Ducks ; 

 but to them he manifested the greatest indifference, 

 and was evidently pining at the loss of his mate, 

 when one day, she too was brought up and turned 

 loose j for a short time, being engaged at a distance, 

 he did not see her ; but, when, on turning his head 

 accidentally, he caught a glimpse of his well-known 

 companion, he rushed towards her with an earnest- 

 ness and affection which quite touched those who 

 witnessed the meeting. Nothing from that moment 

 would induce him to quit her, and he manifested 

 his joy at the unexpected reunion, by twining his 

 neck on hers, nestling it under her wing, and 

 gazing at her with eyes expressive of extreme 

 delight and satisfaction. 



There is another Wild-Duck, deserving of men- 

 tion from the value of the down upon its breast, 

 which is carefully collected by those who rear 

 these birds, and dispose of their produce at a very 

 high price. The bird we speak of is the Eider- 

 Duck. And well may it have a warmer under- 

 clothing than most other Ducks, born and bred, 

 as it is, amidst the most dreary and desolate re- 

 gion of the Frozen Seas, and abiding either soli- 

 tary or in pairs near the ice, as far as possible 



