THE BLACK (OR COMMON) SCOTER 199 



shown the immense number of Eider Ducks which lived on Vidoe, 

 and which were now sitting on eggs or young ones, exhibiting a 

 most interesting scene. The ex-governor made us go and coax 

 some of the old birds, who did not on that account disturb 

 themselves. Almost every little hollow place between the rocks 

 is occupied with the nests of these birds, which are so numerous 

 that we were obliged to walk with the greatest caution, to avoid 

 trampling upon them ; but, besides this, the ex-governor has a 

 number of holes cut in the smooth and sloping side of a hill in two 

 rows, and in every one of these, also, there is a nest. No Norfolk 

 housewife is half so solicitous after her poultry as the ex-governor 

 after his Eider Ducks, which by their down and eggs afford 

 him a considerable revenue ; since the former sells for three rix- 

 doUars (twelve shillings) a pound. Cats and dogs are, at this season 

 of the year, all banished from the island, so that nothing may 

 disturb these birds. ' I need scarcely add that the Eider down of 

 commerce is taken from these nests, not in a pure state but mixed 

 with fragments of plants. Pennant says that if the nest and eggs 

 be taken ' the Duck lays again, and repeats the plucking of her 

 breast, if she is robbed after that, she wiU stDl lay, but the drakes 

 must supply the down, as her stock is now exhausted ; if her eggs 

 are taken a third time, she whoUy deserts the place. The quan- 

 tity of down found in one nest weighs about three-quarters of an 

 ounce, and may be compressed into a ball two inches in diameter, 

 but on being shaken out wUl fill a large hat. 



The young brood take to the water immediately on being hatched. 

 To effect this they are often obliged to travel a considerable distance, 

 and if difficulties present themselves, insurmountable in any other 

 way, the parent bird ceirries the young in her bUl. Once clear of the 

 rocte, they are liable to no further molestation from land robbers. 

 But the sea is not without its dangers, for the rapacious Black- 

 backed Gull frequently attacks them, and, but for the self-devotion 

 and bravery of the mother bird, would commit great havoc among 

 them. At his appearance the young dive in all directions, while 

 the mother counterfeits lameness to distract his attention from them 

 to herself, or springs from the water and attacks the Gull until he 

 is compelled to retire from the contest. 



THE BLACK (OR COMMON) SCOTER 



OEDEMIA NIGRA 



General plumage deep black ; quills dusky brown on the inner web, glossy 

 grey beneath ; disk of the upper mandible orange-yellow ; protuberance 

 at the base black ; no speculum on the wings. Female — general plumage 

 brown of several shades ; bill without the protuberance ; nostrils, and 

 a spot towards the tip, yellowish. Length eighteen inches. Eggs pale 

 buff. 



This bird is well known along the eastern coast of England under 



