DUCK. 20-J 



The Eider Duck is a long-lived bird,* and in the latter years 

 becomes quite grey ; the food is principally shells, for which it 

 dives to very great depths. In Greenland is called Mittek ; the 

 male, Amaulik ; young bird, Amaulicksak ; and the female, Ar- 

 nauick, or Siorartak. The natives kill them on the water with darts, 

 striking them the moment they appear after diving, and know the 

 place, from their being preceded by the rising of bnbbles.f The flesh 

 is much valued, and the eggs not less so.J In Iceland the bird is 

 called 2Edur;§ in Newfoundland, Gam Drake. 



The St. Cuthbert's Duck, mentioned by Willughby, is no other 

 than this ; and so he thinks himself; and adds, that it breeds no 

 where but in the Farn Isles. This species will by no means submit 

 to domestication, as sufficient trials have been made for the purpose. 

 This is mentioned as an article of food tit for a nobleman's house, 

 under the name of Cutberduk, and Cudberduce ; but this occurs 

 but once. Said to be in season in January. || 



Mr. Hooker observes that the Stiftsamptnian, or Governor of the 

 Island of Vidoe, four miles from Iceland, and scarcely more than 

 two miles in circumference, and very fertile, reaps a considerable 

 revenue from the down and eggs ; ^[ the former sells for three rix 

 dollars (twelve shillings) a pound ; immense numbers breed here, 

 almost every little hollow place being occupied with the nest, and 

 so numerous, that he was obliged to walk with the greatest caution, 

 to avoid trampling upon them. 



According to the Amer. Orn. this bird is met with in the United 

 States ; was seen at Kamtschatka and the neighbouring Islands by 



* Believed in Iceland to live 100 years. — Bechst. Deuts. ii. C30. f Faun, groenl. 



J A singular occurrence is mentioned in Naturf. iii. s 221, of five of these eggs being 

 put by in a dark closet ; and three out of that number shining in a remarkable manner, 

 10 as to enable a person to see the shape of the hand. 



§ Birch, Roy. Soc. iii. p. 308. || Archceol. xiii. p. 341. 36S. ; called also 



Dunter Duck. 



% The Eskimaux catch these birds on the nest, with springes, made of split whalebone ; 

 and take the eggs wherever they can find them. — Parri/'s Second Voy. p. S23. 



vol. x. Mm 



