THE EIDER DUCK. 
251 
if the spot be not far from the beach. The lining of down is 
not begun until the whole, or nearly the whole number of eggs 
has been laid ; but with regard to its quantity, properties, and 
numerous particulars concerning its uses, so much has been 
written that only two remarks upon the subject need be made 
here; — first, that I have only upon four occasions chanced to 
see the eggs entirely covered ; and secondly, that, let folk say 
what they will, the down plucked from a dead bird is of as good 
quality as that from the nest. To confirm my own belief in this 
matter, I brought some down from a dead bird to a reputed 
excellent judge, who had had great experience in Faroe as well 
as in Shetland. On my mentioning the source from which it 
had been procured, it was tossed aside almost instantly as being 
harsh, inelastic, and good for nothing. Some days afterwards 
I brought him the very same down, leading him to believe that 
it was fresh from the nest. This sample was pronounced per- 
fect, and I was repeatedly enjoined to admire its softness and 
elasticity, and the absence of that peculiar harshness so notice- 
able in the other.” Having satisfied myself, I did not unde- 
ceive my informant, content with retaining my former belief 
that the thing was originally a mere invention of dishonest 
dealers, who thus have a ready means of undervaluing even 
the very best parcels of down. 
Fresh eggs are often found from the middle of May until the 
middle of July. In these islands, where the Eider does not 
breed in colonies, and where two nests are rarely placed near 
the same spot, more than five eggs are seldom found — never, 
indeed, as far as I can ascertain from reliable sources. In 
some of the eggs the greyish green surface is distinctly but 
irregularly stained wfith darker green, not clouded as in the 
case of the Grebes and of some other species which deposit 
their eggs upon moist decaying plants. It would be difficult 
to prove that anything in the dry nest of the Eider could have 
caused such stains. 
The eggs when perfectly fresh are sometimes carefully 
removed and placed under domestic poultry, and the duck- 
