NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF ICELAND. 255 



by Mr. Perenson, merchant, ten of which died before they 

 reached Iceland, for want of proper care ; the three remaining 

 ones thrive extremely well, and had calved three times before we 

 came there ; they do not want for food, as the country abounds 

 with moss. 



After having treated of their fishery and the breed of their 

 cattle, I think this a very proper place to say something of their 

 birds, which, particularly in regard to those of the aquatic kind, 

 are very important to them. 



They are found in great abundance everywhere on the coast ; 

 but the greatest number by far are caught in the few places 

 where they breed. The eggs the Icelanders make use of them- 

 selves, as likewise the flesh, which is eaten by a great many of 

 them ; but with the feathers and down they carry on a very 

 considerable trade. 



It would be unnecessary to mention all the different sorts of 

 birds, especially as there is scarcely any country where so many 

 kinds, and such great numbers of them, are to be met with as in 

 Iceland. Among the great abundance of geese, water-fowls, 

 ducks, &c., &c., I will, however, say something of the Swan and 

 Eider-bird. 



It is known that the Swan belongs to the class of birds of 

 passage ; their numbers increase very much towards winter, 

 though there is no scarcity of them at any time, as the greater 

 part of the young breed constantly remain there. In spring we 

 may often see an hundred of them in a flock, and frequently 

 man}' more ; and it is then thought that part of them advance 

 yet further to the north, and make but a very short stay in 

 Iceland. During the summer they resort to the lakes ; but when 

 winter approaches, and these begin to freeze, they remove to the 

 sea-shores. Their eggs are gathered in the beginning of spring, 

 which are large, and said to be very palatable. In August, when 

 they lose their feathers, they are hunted on the lakes, where 

 they are to be found at that time, with dogs trained to catch 

 them alive. They are said to sing very harmoniously in the 

 cold dark winter nights ; but though it was in the month of 

 September when I was upon the island, I never once enjoyed 

 the pleasure of a single song. An old Swan has a fishy 

 taste, but the young ones are reckoned among the best eatable 

 fowls. 



