THE EIDER DUCK. 



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EIDER DUCK. 



found in the western isles of Scotland, and on the coasts of Norway, 

 Iceland, and Greenland. 



In Iceland, the Eider Ducks generally form their nests on smal] 

 islands not far from the shore ; and sometimes 

 even near the dwellings of the natives, who treat 

 them with so much attention and kindness as 

 to render them nearly tame. Sometimes two 

 females will lay their eggs in the same nest, in 

 which case they always agree remarkably well. 



As long as the female is sitting, the male 

 continues on watch near the shore : but as soon 

 as the young-ones are hatched he leaves them. 

 The mother, however, remains with them a considerable time after- 

 wards. It is curious to observe her manner of leading them out of 

 the nest, almost as soon as they creep from the eggs. Going before 

 them to the shore, they trip after : and, when she comes to the watti- 

 side, she takes them on her back, and swims a few yards with them ; 

 when she dives, and the young-ones are left floating on the surface, 

 and are obliged to take care of themselves. They are seldom seon 

 afterwards on land. 



From these birds is produced the soft down so well known by iie 

 name of eider or eder- 

 down. This the old 

 birds pluck from 

 their breasts in the 

 breeding season, to 

 line their nests : 

 making with it a soft 

 bed for their young- 

 ones. When the 

 bird-catchers come to 

 the nest, they care- 

 fully remove the 

 female, and take 

 away the superflu- 

 ous down and eggs ; 

 after this they replace 

 her. She then begins 

 to lay afresh, and 

 covers her eggs with new down, which she plucks from her body. 

 When she has no more left, the male comes to her assistance, and covers 

 the eggs with his down, which is white, and easily distinguished from 

 ,hat of the female. When the young-ones leave the nest, which is 

 about an hour after they are hatched, it is once more plundered. 



The best down and the most eggs, are obtained during the first 

 three weeks after the nest is formed ; and it has generally been ob 

 served, that the birds lay the greatest number of eggs in rainy 

 weather. One female, during the time of laying, generally yields 

 half a pound of down : which, however, is reduced one half after it ia 

 cleansed. 



EIDER DUCK. 



