BIRDS OF IVIGTUT. 19 



1 am rather inclined to believe that their nesting was de- 

 layed that year by the big ice which then enclosed some of 

 their principal resorts as late as June. 



In October, 1886, the females began to come into the 

 fjord singly, and in November they came in small flocks. 

 As the weather grew colder the number increased, and it 

 became still larger after Christmas, the . period of greatest 

 abundance being March and April. The males did not come 

 in as great numbers into the fjord that winter. I saw, in- 

 deed, none at Ivigtut until March, while they were quite 

 numerous at Christmas of the following year. 



In the evening these birds generally go as far inland as 

 there is open water, and during the night they are almost 

 constantly on the move.' Then their cries may be plainly 

 heard, as also their splashing near the shore ; but if a 

 match be lit, they fly aloft with a great uproar. 



KING EIDER. 



SOMATEBIA SFECTABIIIS. 



An example of this species was first observed by me on 

 Feb. 1, 1887. By the 12th of that month they had arrived 

 in great numbers ; and from the middle of the month until 

 the middle of March they were even more numerous than 

 the common Eider Ducks ; but from that time on spectabilis 

 decreased, while borealis increased. By the middle of April 

 there were but few King Eiders left, and the last obtained 

 was shot on the 29th of that month. 



In habits the present species much resembles borealis, but 

 seeks rather deeper water, and is oftener seen resting in a 

 standing posture on the brink of the ice. Its only note is a 

 single cooing sound, heard especially at night. Like the 

 common Eider, these birds are very shy and difficult to shoot. 



