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breeding-places in the Hebrides. The ducks, though not so tame as in Iceland and Norway, 

 will usually allow you to approach within a yard or two before flying off. I am not aware that 

 the down is anywhere collected as an article of trade, as the ducks are not sufficiently numerous, 

 and the islets where they breed are usually difficult of access." 



Mr. A. W. Johnson, of Gateshead, has also contributed the accompanying observations : — 



" This bird is very common on the Fame Islands, remaining in this locality throughout the 

 year. In the breeding-season, when the eggs are hard-set, the Ducks become extremely tame, 

 allowing one to approach within five yards without rising from their nests, and only exhibiting 

 their anxiety by watching our slightest movement. In winter, on the contrary, they are very 

 wary and difficult of approach. On the 6th of June, 1870, we examined ten nests on these 

 islands ; we found them generally placed among the nettles which grow in such abundance there, 

 no less than five out of the ten being thus situated. Two were built among the ruins of some 

 old buildings close to the keeper's house ; one was amongst the loose stones just above high-water 

 mark, and two on the bare shelving rocks, far from any herbage, in situations similar to those 

 chosen by Larus fuscus. The nests were composed of down mingled with fleshy stalks and bents, 

 with a few feathers, the eggs generally lying imbedded in down. When the bird was flushed, 

 we usually found the eggs in a pool of liquid excreta, and sometimes one of them thrown out of 

 the nest by the hasty departure of the owner. The number of eggs found in any one nest never 

 exceeded five ; but in a place so much frequented as the Fame Islands no reliable data as to the 

 number of eggs laid can be obtained ; for we observed clutches of three, two, and even, in one 

 instance, one egg hard-set. For the above reason also the time of breeding cannot be accurately 

 stated ; for, owing to the eggs having been taken by previous visitors, we found some fresh and 

 some hard-set, though at that time there were no young ones hatched. The Drakes appeared to 

 take no part in the duties of incubation ; for in no case did we notice one on the island, nor, 

 indeed, any nearer than the distance of a mile." 



Mr. C. W. Shepherd, in his interesting little book on the North-west Peninsula of Iceland, 

 gives the following account of a colony of the Eider Duck visited by him during his visit there : — 



" After supper shooting was prohibited, as we were approaching Vigr, and Eider Ducks are 

 nervous birds. They are protected by the laws of Iceland, and the destruction of one of them 

 can be punished by a fine. In theory this may apply to Eider Ducks all over Iceland ; but it is 

 only put in force where the birds breed in large quantities ; flocks are to be met with in all parts 

 of Iceland's many-fjorded coast-line, in every creek and inlet; but of these no one seems to take 

 any heed. The islands of Vigr and (Edey, both in I'sa-tjardar-djup, are their head quarters in the 

 north-west of Iceland ; in these they live in undisturbed tranquillity. They have become almost 

 domesticated, and are found in vast multitudes, as the young remain and breed in the place of 

 their birth. If they are persecuted, however, they soon regain their wild state, and would leave 

 their home for some other more retired retreat ; nor would they have far to go, for a new home 

 could be found in every fjordr. 



" We had now time and opportunity to look about us and enjoy the scenery. The general 

 appearance of the fjordr is not so grand to a person journeying up as to one coming down, the 

 mountain-scenery not being so bold or so lofty at the head as it is at the mouth of the fjordr. 

 There was a little rain on the journey ; but before we reached Vigr a neighbouring mountain had 



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