74 



LAMELLIllOSTRAL SWIMMERS - ANSERES. 



DmvHij young : PLiiu gmyii<li bi-owii, lij^hter iH'iioiith ami over the i-yes, the iibdomeii soinetiiiics, 

 but miely, almost ilirty whitish ; the lij;ht sujieniliary stripe usi-ally ilistimt and continuous. 



Total lengtli, about 22 inches; wing, lO.Wi-ll.CiO ; culnien, 1.75-2.20; length of bill from ti|i 

 to end of ba-sijl angle, 2.45-3.(HI ; greatest width of angle, .25-.35 ; Uiwu.s, l.ao-2.20 ; middle toe, 

 2.35-2.70.' 



Witli tlie single exception of the Coiuinon Mullaril, no Duek is more genenilly 

 known to the world at large than this species. The value of its down, as an artiele 

 of luxury and of cointneree for several eenturies, has given it an intrinsic value. ;ind 

 to its history an interest, In^yond that belonging to any of its tribe. The inijujrtanee 

 of this bird has been increased by the i)ains and success with whicli its cultivation 

 has been carried on in Iceland, Norway, and in other parts of Europe. In Anu'iica, 

 where it is equally common, no corresponding jittempts have been uuide to i)roteet it 

 in the breeding-season. 



The Killer Duck is an Arctic si)ecics, common to the Atlantic shores of Europe and 

 America, but nowhere seen on the racitie coast of Asia or America. It is found in 

 the Arctic Ocean as far west as the Coppermine Kiver in North America, and as far 

 east as Nova Zem])la and the islands north of Siberia. 



Messrs. Evans a)' I Sturge found Ducks of this species breeding in immense 

 numbers on the l)eaeli of West Sjtitzbergen. T^heir nests were mere hollows scooped 

 in the pebbly ground, very scantily lined with down, mixed witli seaweed. Subse- 

 quently I'rofessor Newton saw it inunerous all around Sj)itzbergen, but less abun- 

 dant toward the nortli. Yet on tlui loth of Jidy, 1S(!1, flocks of hundreds ui male 

 birds were observed at Shoal I'oint, latitude S0° lO* N., wliich seemed to be on their 

 way still farther north. 



Mr. Ciillette sjieaks of finding this species tolerably common all along the coast of 

 Nova Zendda; but he nowhere saw it in large flocks. Von Ileuglin also met with it 

 in the sante locality. He found it everywhere on rocky islands, but not so common 

 as in Spitzbergen. As late as August 8 lu; met with breeding fenudes, but saw no 

 old nudes. 



Middendorff enumerates the Eider anu)ng the birds of Siberia, and includes it in 

 the list of those which penetrate to the t'xtrenu'st northern points. 



Mr. C. W. Shepard, in his interesting sketch of his explorations in the north- 

 western peninsula of Icelaiul, gives a graphic aeciuuit of his visit to an island on the 

 northern coast of h-eland, and of the wonderful tameiiess of tlie Ei(h'r. " The islands 

 of Vigr and Oedey are their headquarters in the northwest of Iceland. In these they 

 live in undisturbed tranquillity. They have become almost donu'sticated, ami are 

 found in vast multit s, as the y<mng renuiin and breed in the place of tln-ir birth. 

 As the island [Vigr] >. .is approi-.ched we could see Hocks upon flocks of the .sacred 

 bird.s, and could hear their cooing at a grcii^ distance. We landed on a rocky, wave- 

 worn shore. It was the most wonderful oiiUthological sight conceivable. The Ducks 

 and their nests were everywhere. Clreat brown Ducks sat upon their nests in ma.s.scs, 

 J id at every step started from under our feet. It was with dilliculty that we avoided 

 treading »-u some of the nests. ( )n the coast of the opposite shore wan a wall built (d" 

 large stones, ju.st alM)ve the high-water level, about three feet in height, and of con- 

 siderable til kness. At the Iwittom, on both sides cd" it. alternate s*o",es had been 

 left out, so as to ♦orm a series of square compartments for the Ducks to nest in. 

 .Mmost every compartment was occupied, and as we walked along the shore, a lung 

 line of Ducks tiew out, one after the other. The surface of the water also was per- 



I Ten exaiii|ili'H. 



