4 
EIDEll. 
the birds in my collection) reported having met with a drake in immature plumage off Shoreham on the 
previous day. The fact that one or two specimens (immature males) were procured along the shore near 
Eottingdean within a week of this date left little doubt as to the truth of the statement. It was not till 
the 4th of October, 1882, when a flock of eight immature birds busily diving over a stony hank a short 
distance off the beach near Lancing allowed the boat to run down before a fresh northerlv breeze, that I 
obtained speeimens off the Sussex coast. The two birds (both drakes) secured on this occasion exhibited 
a curious and mottled state of plumage : one of these juveniles being figured in Plate II. a description is 
rendered unnecessary ; the colours of the soft parts, however, were as follows : — Iris dark hazel ; hill 
at the point a pale greenish yellow, gradually changing towards the base into a blue-slate tint, a small 
oblong patch of yellow showing close in front of the nostril. The nail pale greenish yellow, the colourino' 
being fainter than the hill. The lower mandible blue ; legs and toes a dull olive-yellow ; webs and nails 
a dark grey, almost black. All these colours commence to change within an hour or two of the death 
of the bird, and it is only by means of a plate life-size that any idea of the tints of the beak and legs can 
be given. The only food they contained consisted of small crabs, mussels, and shrimps, with a quantity of fine 
grit, diminutive beach-stones, and a little weed. 
Since this date I have frequently recognized Eiders off the coast of Sussex; they were generally found 
diving for food over some hank Avhere mussels, crabs, and other shell-fish abounded, or resting quietly out 
at sea a fcAV miles off the land in company with Velvet and Common Scoters. The latest entry in my notes 
referring to this species is under date of December 29, 1883 ; the weather at the time being thick, without 
a breath of air, and the water as smooth as glass, it Avas impossible to sail doAvn upon the flock. These Eiders 
Avere seven in number, tAvo of Avhich showed a small amount of Avhite on the head and hack, the remainder of 
the party appearing to he females. Owing to the presence of about one hundred and fifty Scoters, Avhose 
actions Avcre very unsettled, constantly flying round, alighting and rising again repeatedly, there was no chance 
for a shot, and I failed to secure a specimen. 
Along the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk small flocks were also occasionally observed in the Avinter 
of 1881 and the following year. I have here met Avith them off Ilashoro’ and Caister, also in Yarmouth 
and Corton Hoads, and again further south off Pakefield and Covehithe. Though for the most part alone, 
they were occasionally in company, over the hanks that formed their feeding-grounds, Avith Common and Velvet 
Scoters, as well as Long-tailed Ducks and Scaup ; on rising on Aving, however, they invariably separated from 
the rest of the foAvl*. 
According to the observations I ha\"e been enabled to make, the food of this species consists of various 
kinds of small shell-flsh and marine animalcules, seaAveed and grit as well as stones appearing to be SAvalloAved 
to assist digestion. Specimens shot in the Eirth of Eorth in May 1807 contained large quantities of mussel- 
shells Avith a feAv small Avinkles, also sand and Aveed. 
Having never kept Eiders in confinement, I can offer no opinion as to the age at Avhich the males assume 
the full adult plumage, though doubtless it is not earlier than their fifth year. 
The folloAving description of the Eider, discovered in an old history of the Western Isles, may 
possibly proA^e amusing, if not instructiAm; to the best of my knoAAdedge it has not been quoted by any 
ornithological aa riter : — 
“ In this island f there is a rare species of bird, unknoAvn to other regions, which is called Colcha J, 
little inferior in size to a Goose, all covered with doAvn, and Avhen it hatches it casts its feathers, 
* In December 1883 I received word that two or three Eiders in immature plumage were lately obtained on Breydon AA'ater, near 
Yarmouth. In one instance a bird had been noticed swimming in the river among the shipping and barges off the wharfs ; in all probability wounds 
or the continued buffetings of a heavy gale while off the coast would account for such unusual familiarity. 
t Lewis. + Evidently from the Gaelic “ Colcach.” 
