174 



EUROPEAN NUTHATCH. 



account that it is prohibited by the laws of Norway to kill the Eiders 

 for their down.* 1 



The young have been taken from the Farn Islands, in hopes of their 

 becoming domesticated, but all attempts have proved ineffectual; pro- 

 bably for want of proper food, which is said principally to consist of 

 shell-fish. 



The native regions of this bird extend from 45° north, to the highest 

 latitudes yet discovered both in Europe and America; some wandering 

 pairs having been known to breed on the rocky islands beyond Portland, 

 in the district of Mayne, which is, perhaps, the most southern extent 

 of their breeding place. Greenland and Iceland abound with them, and 

 they are numerous on the coast of Labrador. They associate together 

 in flocks, generally in deep water, diving for shell-fish, retiring fre- 

 quently to the rocky shore to rest themselves, particularly on the ap- 

 proach of a storm. Their flesh is much esteemed by the inhabitants 

 of Greenland, but tastes strongly of fish. * Wilson says that several 

 attempts have been made to domesticate them, but hitherto without 

 effect.* 



ELK. — A name for the Wild Swan. 

 EMBER GOOSE.— A name for the Loon. 



EMBERIZA (Linn^us.) — *A genus thus characterised. Bill 

 conical, strong, hard, and sharp-pointed; the cutting edges (tomia) 

 of both mandibles bending inwards, and compressed towards the point ; 

 the upper mandible narrower and smaller than the under one, and its 

 roof furnished with a hard bony knob. Base of the mandibles (or 

 gape) forming an angle, and rather open. Nostrils at the base round, 

 and partly hidden by the small feathers. Feet having three toes 

 before and one behind ; the fore ones entirely divided. Wings with 

 the first quills rather shorter than the second and third, which are 

 the longest in each wing.* 



EMMET HUNTER.— A name for the Wryneck. 



ERNE. — A name for the Eagle. 



EUROPEAN GOATSUCKER.— A name for the Nightjar. 

 EUROPEAN NUTHATCH.— A name for the Nuthatch. 



1 Architecture of Birds, p. 75. 



