666 



AVES — EIDER DUCK. 



swan is exactly similar in its form to the swan of the old world, but is some- 

 what smaller in size. Every part of its plumage is perfectly black, with the 

 exception of the primary and a few of the secondary quill feathers, which 

 are white. The bill is of a bright red above, is crossed at the anterior part 

 by a whitish band ; is of a grayish white on the under part ; and, in the 

 male, is surmounted at the base by a slight protuberance. The legs and 

 feet are of a dull ash color. Black swans, in their wild state, are extremely 

 shy. They are found in Van Dieman's Land, New South Wales, and on 

 the western coast of New Holland ; and are generally seen swimming on a 

 lake, in flocks consisting of eight or nine individuals. On being disturbed, 

 they fly oflf in a direct line one after the other, like Avild geese. 



THE EIDER DUCKi 



Has a black, cylindrical bill, and the feathers of the forehead and cheeks ad- 

 vance far into the base. In the male, the feathers of part of the head, the 

 lower part of the breast, the belly and the tail, are black, as are also the 

 quill feathers of the wings; and nearly all the rest of the body is white. 

 The legs are green. The female is of a reddish brown, variously marked 

 with black and dusky streaks. It is principally found in the western isles 

 of Scotland, on the coasts of Norway, Iceland and Greenland, and in many 

 parts of North America. 



The female lays from three to five eggs, (sometimes as many as eight,) 

 which are large, smooth, glossy, and of a pale olive color. She generally 



^ Anas mollisima. Lin. 



