36 
allen’s naturalist’s lirrary. 
lores, and the green patch on the nape, serve to distinguish tlie 
species. Ihe female is very dark in colour, and shows chest- 
nut motthngs on the upper back and again on the chest, the 
bieast and abdomen beina black. 
Eange in Great Britain — Has only occurred twice within 
British limits, one having been shot near Caistor in Norfolk 
in February, 1830, while a second immature specimen was 
procured off Filey Brigg in Yorkshire on the isth of August, 
Range outside the British Islands.— Steller’s Eider Duck breeds 
plentifully along the arctic coast of Siberia east of the Taimvr 
Peninsula, and is abundant in the Aleutian Islands. It has 
also been found breeding on tlie Varanger Fjord in the north 
of Norway and m Russian Finland. In winter it is not un- 
common in the Baltic Sea, and has been obtained in Heli- 
goland, Denmark, and off the coasts of Northern France. The 
coasts and islands of Bering Sea, writes Mr. Nelson “mav 
be given as the eastern range of this fine Duck. Westward of 
these points it breeds in tens of thousands along the north 
coast of Siberia.” It also inhabits the Aleutian and Kurile 
Islands in winter, frequenting the bays which are not ice- 
bound as well as the shores of Alaska, but the species has not 
as yet been found breeding in the latter country. 
Habits.— Steller’s Eider is a marine Duck, and feeds chieflv 
on molluscs. It is said to be very shy, especially during the 
breeding-season’ and deserts its nest, if the latter be meddled 
with. The note is said to be something like that of a Teal. 
Nest— Cup-shaped according to Von Middendorf, and 
lined with down, and placed on moss on the flat tundra Dali 
found one in Unalaska, built between two tussocks of grass 
and the depression carefully lined with the same material It 
contained only one egg, and had not been lined with dovvn • it 
was most carefully concealed by overhanging grasses ’ 
Eggs.— Seven to nine in number, of a pale greenish stone- 
colour. Axis, 2'2 inches; diam., i‘55. 
Down. — Very dull chocolate-brown, with a small white “ eye ” 
in the centre, the filamentous tips being also brown. ^ 
