TOWNSEND AND ALLEN: LABRADOR BIRDS. 335 



Island and Nain. On the return we saw much fewer birds, but in the 

 same localities. It is evident that the constant persecution of these 

 birds by the liveyers, summer fishermen, and Eskimo dogs has sadly 

 thinned their ranks. It is also apparent that many of them when 

 driven off from the exposed coast and outer islands continue to breed 

 in lessened numbers in the deep bays and inlets which are shunned 

 by man in summer on account of the flies and mosquitoes. 



The Eiders we saw were generally in small flocks, some in male 

 others in female plumage, although once or twice we saw single birds, 

 and occasionally we saw small flocks all in one plumage. Thus we 

 saw a flock of 4 adult males on July 9th; a flock of 18 adult males 

 and 6 brown birds on July 11th; a flock of 7 adult males and 4 brown 

 birds on July 13th; a flock of 11 adult males and 11 brown birds on 

 July 21st. On July 21st off Nain we saw 2 adult males, one appar- 

 ently adult female and five young, three of whom fluttered along 

 the water seemingly unable to fly. These were probably the Green- 

 land species. The next day we saw four Eiders fly by, the first two 

 brown birds, the third an adult male, and the fourth was evidently 

 an immature male showing white only in the middle of the back and 

 part of the wings. These observations are interesting as it is generally 

 stated that as soon as the eggs are laid the male Eiders flock by them- 

 selves at sea. We discovered a field mark of considerable value in 

 recognizing these birds, and with its help we could distinguish this 

 species even when the light was so poor we could not make out the 

 colors. We refer to the characteristic manner during flight in which 

 the bill is held, pointing obliquely downward at a considerable angle, 

 instead of straight out in front as is the case with most ducks. 



The Eiders generally flew in Indian file close to the water. The 

 strikingly marked adult males with their black bellies and white 

 breasts, necks, and backs are easily recognized. The female is a 

 great brownish bird, looking very dark in some lights, and entirely 

 lacks distinctive markings. In the sunlight the back of the female 

 looks a lighter brown than the belly. The wings are of the same 

 color as the back. The young looked a lighter brown than their 

 mothers. 



In Norway and Iceland the very similar European Eider is thor- 

 oughly protected and has become very tame, nesting freely close to 

 the houses. The eggs and down are taken under careful super- 

 vision and are the source of considerable profit. The birds are 



