EIDER DUCK, — Somateria molUssima. 



bird its facility in diving, renders it a bad and awkward walker. The number of eggs 

 laid by the Eider is five or six, and their colour is pale green. There are generally two 

 broods in the year. 



In the male bird the top of the head is velvety black, and the cheeks *are white. The 

 ear-coverts and back of the head are pale green. The back is white, the primaries and 

 secondaries dull black, and the tertials white, long, and drooping, having a very striking 

 effect as they hang over the dark wings. The neck and upper parts of the breast are 

 white, the lower parts of the neck pale buff, and the breast and abdomen black, relieved 

 by a patch of white on the flanks. The bill and legs are green. The female is reddish 

 brown, mottled with darker brown. The total length of this bird rather exceeds two feet. 



An allied species, the King Duck (Somateria sjjectahiUs), is sometimes found in 

 England, though it is a rare bird. It is about the size of the eider, and is notable for its 

 black and white body, and the light red beak and legs. 



The Racehoese, or Steamee Duck {Micropterus hracliypterus), is a very remarkable 

 species, having very short wings, so that it cannot fly, and legs so formed that it scuds 

 over and drives through the water with amazing speed. While passing over the surface 

 it sends the water flying behind it like a paddle-steamer, and has thereby earned its name. 

 It is a very large species, forty inches in length, and its colour is leaden grey above, and 

 white below. It is found in the Falkland Islands and Patagonia. 



Want of space compels us to omit the Scotee Ducks ( Oidemia), and to pass at once 

 to the next sub-family, represented by two species. 



The GoosANDEE is one of our winter visitors, making its appearance about November, 

 and departing in March. Some few birds, however, remain throughout the year. It is 

 generally to be found on the northern coasts, where it may be observed diving after fish 

 with great address, and bringing them to the surface in its long, slemler, deeply notched 

 beak, which is so plentifully provided with so-called teeth, that the bird in some places 

 goes by the name of Jacksaw, 



