THE EIDER DUCK. 135 



warmth materially assists in the process of incubation. 

 The usual number of eggs is from five to eight ; they are 

 pale green in colour, about three inches in length and two 

 inches in breadth. The male bird takes no part in in- 

 cubation, and seldom approaches very close to the nest. 



The young take to the water very soon after being 

 hatched, and are covered with down, dark on the upper 

 part and lighter underneath. Yarrell states that in some 

 instances they are carried there by the female in her bill, 

 as the nest is sometimes placed in such a situation as to 

 preclude the possibility of its being done in any other way. 



The powers of flight of the Eider Duck are only 

 moderate, but it rises from the water with less effort than 

 many other ducks. 



It is easily domesticated, but the young are trouble- 

 some to rear, and are subject to frequent mishaps in the 

 poultry-yard, being, as already stated, clumsy and uncertain 

 walkers. 



In the adult male the beak is dusky green ; the nail 

 white; top of the head velvet-black; lore and cheeks 

 white ; ear-coverts and occiput pale green ; back, scapulars, 

 tertials, point of wing, and smaller wing-coverts white ; 

 greater wing- coverts black ; wing primaries and secondaries 

 dull black, the tertials elongated, and falling partly over 

 them ; rump black ; tail feathers dull black ; chin and 

 upper part of neck in front white ; lower part of the neck 

 pale buff; breast, belly, sides, and all the under surface 

 black, except a patch of white on the flank ; legs, toes, and 

 their membranes <luskv ^ivm. The mtiiv length is about 

 1 \\ fill \--ti \v inches. 



The female differs in appearance considerably from her 

 mate, the plumage being a pale brown tinged with red, 



