THE fHDER DUCK. 
249 
As the middle of IMarcli approaclies, the Hocks break up, and 
pairing begins, but it is not until some six or eight weeks after- 
wards that laying takes place, a peculiarity which I have 
remarked in all Anatidce, wild or domestic, wliose habits during 
the breeding season I have had opportunities of observing. At 
tliat time the male almost entirely deserts his mate ; but I have 
not either seen him visiting the nest or known an instance of 
his supplying his own down when from any cause that of the 
female became deficient ; but this may be from want of oppor- 
tunity, both circumstances having been recorded on what 
appears to be good authority. Possibly these habits may have 
been noticed only where the birds are numerous, and are living 
in a state of semi-domestication, as, for instance, in Iceland. 
I have, however, seen both male and female near a nest which 
was in process of construction. From the commencement of 
incubation, which I believe lasts about four weeks, to the time 
when the young are led to the water, the male is constantly 
in sight, either swimming about in a listless manner, or sleep- 
ing upon the outlying rocks ; but after all he does not seem to 
take very cordially to the young, and indeed he is comparatively 
seldom seen near them. 
The favourite nesting-places are the little islands or holms, 
those which are fiat and well covered with rank herbage being 
preferred, though the nest is sometimes placed among large 
stones. Gentle heathery slopes near the sea are, however, by no 
means despised. Upon slopes of this kind I have found nests 
fully two hundred yards from the sea — the nearest water. I 
have also seen nests on the hills several hundred feet above the 
sea-level, but always near water. In the latter case the young are 
not taken to the sea immediately after they are hatched, but are 
allowed time to gather some strength previously. This scarcely 
bears out the idea that the mother carries them to the water one 
by one in her bill, as some assert, a fact which I have always 
doubted, never having heard any other than untrustworthy 
persons affirm that they had actually seen the performance. 
Indeed, any one who is acquainted with the habits of the Black- 
