WILD FOWL 
to the mouth of the Yenesei, where it is rare, and not actually known 
to breed, and southwards to the North Friesian Islands. In winter it is 
found on the coasts of Europe, and sometimes visits parts of the Medi- 
terranean, even wandering to the Azores. It is occasionally found on 
inland waters. 
Distribution in the British Isles.— \n the northern parts of the British Isles 
the eider is a well known resident species, especially in the Shetland 
and Orkney Islands, where immense numbers nest, and in the Outer 
and Inner Hebrides; also in suitable localities down the east coast of Scot- 
land to Northumberland and the Fame Islands, and on the west coast to 
Argyllshire. In winter the number of birds is greatly increased by 
migrants from the north of Europe, and many visit the eastern shores, 
but on the west and south coasts of England and Wales the eider is not 
common, and only occasionally wanders to Ireland. 
Nest and eggs. — ^The nest is placed in tufts of coarse grass or among 
heather, and in localities where the birds are much disturbed may be 
found on the moors several miles from water. It is usually made of dead 
grass with a dense lining of beautiful down, which is gradually added 
after the eggs have been laid. These vary in number from five to eight, 
and in colour from greenish-grey to deep green. They measure about 
3*0 by 2*0 inches. They are laid in May and June, and incubation lasts 
from 27 to 28 days. When disturbed the duck evacuates a stinking green 
liquid over her eggs. 
The food consists of seaweed, mussels, which are sometimes swallowed 
whole, and crustaceans, and the flesh is very coarse and generally 
regarded as unfit for food. For this reason the bird is seldom shot, and 
though in most places where it breeds the eggs are regularly collected 
and eaten by the natives, the bird seems to be increasing. 
Allied forms. — ^In Greenland and eastern North America the eider is 
represented by a very closely allied form, S. borealis^ said to be dis- 
tinguished by having an orange -yellow bill and by slight differences in 
the plumage. 
In Southern Labrador and the north-east coast of North America from 
Maine to Newfoundland S. dresseri is found, and has the bare space near 
the base of the bill rounded instead of narrow and more or less pointed. 
In Western North America and North-eastern Asia another near ally, 
known as S. v~nigrum, is met with, the male having a v-shaped black 
mark on the throat, as in the male of the king-eider. 
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