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appropriated the cloud for its nightcap, and all was fair above. The wind was calm and the 

 water quite smooth as the island was approached ; and we could see flocks upon flocks of the 

 sacred birds, and could hear their cooings at a great distance. At 3 a.m. we landed on a rocky 

 wave-worn shore, against which the waters scarcely rippled, and, leaving the rowers in charge of 

 the boat, set off to investigate the island. The shore was the most wonderful ornithological 

 sight conceivable. The Ducks and their nests were everywhere, in a manner that was quite 

 alarming. Great brown Ducks sat upon their nests in masses, and at every step started up from 

 under our feet. It was with difficulty that we avoided treading on some of the nests. The shore 

 only is thus infested. The interior of the island was covered with good grass, and we surprised 

 a body of young maidens who were engaged in haymaking. Frightened at our approach, they 

 were hurrying away, when Clausen assured them that our visit was peaceable. 



" The island being but three quarters of a mile in width, the opposite (or southern) shore 

 was soon reached. On the coast was a wall built of large stones, just above the high-water level, 

 about three feet in height, and of considerable thickness. At the bottom, on both sides of it, 

 alternate stones had been left out, so as to form a series of square compartments for the Ducks 

 to make their nests in. Almost every compartment was occupied ; and as we walked along the 

 shore a long line of Ducks flew out, one after another. The surface of the water, also, was per- 

 fectly white with Drakes, who welcomed their brown wives with loud and clamorous cooing. 

 When we arrived at the farmhouse, we found that the haymakers had apprised their mistress of 

 our approach. She gave us a cordial welcome. The house itself was a great marvel. The 

 earthen walls that surrounded it, and the window embrasures, were occupied by Ducks ; on the 

 ground the house was fringed with Ducks ; on the turf slopes of the roof we could see Ducks ; 

 and a Duck sat in the scraper. 



" A grassy bank close by had been cut into square patches like a chessboard — a square of 

 turf, of about 18 inches, being removed and a hollow made; and all were filled with Ducks. 

 A windmill was infested, and so were all the outhouses, mounds, rocks, and crevices. The Ducks 

 were everywhere. Many of them were so tame that we could stroke them on their nests ; and 

 the good lady told us that there was scarcely a Duck on the island which would not allow her to 

 take its eggs without flight or fear. On entering the house we were shown into a little room 

 whose furniture was very grand for Iceland. Four maidens soon came in, each bearing a large 

 bowl of milk ; each in turn approached the table, and taking a sip from her bowl placed it before 

 us. Our hostess told us that when she first became possessor of the island the produce of down 

 from the Ducks was not more than 15 lbs. weight in the year, but that under her careful nurture 

 of twenty years it had risen to nearly 100 lbs. annually. It requires about 1-| lb. to make a 

 coverlet for a single bed; and the down is worth from 12s. to 15s. per pound. Most of the eggs 

 are taken and pickled for winter consumption, one or two only being left to hatch." 



The following extract is taken from Mr. Crowe's Consular Report from Iceland, reproduced 

 in ' Land and Water ' for February 1867 : — 



" As the bird is protected from molestation by severe laws, it has become tame, and always 

 repairs to the same spot to hatch its young. As soon as the eggs are laid, the owners of the 

 hatching-grounds rob the nests of the down and a part of the eggs, both of which the poor bird 

 replaces a second and third time, when she is left to complete the process of incubation, but with 



