356 THE EIDER DUCK. 



wonderful that in the long lines in which we saw them travelling, we did 

 not on any occasion discover among them a young bird, or one not in its 

 mature plumage. The young males, if they breed before they acquire their 

 full colouring, must either be by themselves at this period, or with the 

 barren females, which, as I have already said, separate from those that are 

 breeding. I am inclined to believe that the old males commence their south- 

 ward migration before the females or the young, as none were to be seen for 

 about a fortnight before the latter started. In winter, when these Ducks are 

 found on the Atlantic shores of the United States, the males and females are 

 intermingled; and at the approach of spring the mated pairs travel in great 

 flocks, though disposed in lines, when you can distinctly see individuals of 

 both sexes alternating. 



The flight of the Eider is firm, strong, and generally steady. They 

 propel themselves by constant beats of the wings, undulating their lines 

 according to the inequality of surface produced by the waves, over which 

 they pass at the height of a few yards, and rarely more than a mile from the 

 shores. Few fly across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as they prefer following 

 the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, to the eastern entrance of the 

 straits of Belle Isle, beyond which many proceed farther north, while others 

 ascend that channel and settle for the season along the shores of Labrador, 

 as far up as Partridge Bay, and still farther up the St. Lawrence. Whilst 

 on our waters, or at their breeding grounds, the Eiders are not unfrequently 

 seen flying much higher than when travelling, but in that case they seem to 

 be acting with the intention of guarding against their enemy man. The 

 velocity of their flight has been ascertained to be about eighty miles in the 

 hour. 



This species dives with great agility, and can remain a considerable time 

 under water, often going down in search of food to the depth of eight or ten 

 fathoms, or even more. When wounded, however, they soon become 

 fatigued in consequence of the exertion used in diving, and may be over- 

 taken by a well-manned boat in the course of half an hour or so, as when 

 fatigued they swim just below the surface, and may be struck dead with an 

 oar or a boat-hook. 



Their food consists principally of shell-fish, the shells of which they seem 

 to have the power of breaking into pieces. In many individuals which I 

 opened, I found the entrails almost filled with small fragments of shells 

 mixed with other matter. Crustaceous animals and their roe, as well as that 

 of various fishes, I also found in their stomach, along with pebbles some- 

 times as large as a hazel nut. The oesophagus, which is in form like a bag, 

 and is of a leathery firm consistence, was often found distended with food, 

 and usually emitted a very disagreeable fishy odour. The gizzard is ex- 



