89 
33. Polysticta stellerl (Pallas), steller eider. 
Kumlien (1879, p. 89) writes: 
“During the time we were blockaded by the ice-jam at Annanactook harbour, in Cum- 
berland, I saw three or four of these eiders. At one time a superb specimen sat for hours 
on a cake of ice but a short distance from the ship; but I could not reach it on account 
of the breaking ice. I watched him for a long time through a good glass, and there is 
no question of the identity. In late autumn I saw some that I think were of this species/’ 
This species was not noted by Hantzsch nor by the present writer. 
34. Somateria mollissima borealis (Brehm). Greenland eider. 
Eskimo: Metik; Mitlek , -tik, -tit; male, Amaulik, -lik, -lit; female, Arnaviak, -ak, -at, 
according to Hantzsch. 
On the 1923 Canadian Arctic Expedition several eiders, presumed 
to be this species, were seen at Ponds inlet on August 27. At Pangnir- 
tung fiord eight were seen on September 14, and twenty on September 21. 
This is one of the commonest birds of Cumberland Sound region and 
breeds in large numbers on the islands of the upper waters. Throughout 
the summer and autumn of 1924 it was observed to be common in this 
region; the latest specimens were obtained on October 13, at Pangnir- 
tung fiord. An example of this species was shot in the big tide-rift, Sar- 
bukjuak, in Nettilling fiord, on January 31, 1925. It is unusual to see the 
birds here in the winter. 
Large numbers were observed along the floe edge in the middle of May, 
1926, between Tikkoot islands and cape Dorset, on the south coast. In 
late June thousands were encountered among Fox islands, Gordon bay, a 
great breeding ground. On June 20, the birds had only commenced laying, 
for none of the scores of nests visited on the islands contained more than 
three eggs. The nests were on mossy and grassy patches of ground on 
hill-sides and rugged uplands. In nearly every case the site is so chosen 
that the nest is flanked on one side by a boulder, or low edge of rock. Areas 
of moss and grass are so rare, comparatively, that the birds have difficulty 
in finding suitable sites. In one place several duck nests were placed in 
a line close together in a shallow crack in the rock to take advantage of the 
lowly vegetation growing along this restricted area. The nests are basin- 
like structures of moss, dead grasses, etc., about 10 inches in diameter and 
8 inches high. Most of them seemed rather small for the size of the bird 
and the number of eggs they presently would be required to hold. Some 
nests were depressions in soft ground, or amid moss and grass, but the 
great majority were built up to form a hollow platform. Some of the 
nesting sites had been used year after year, for their foundations were matted 
with vegetation and were hard and firm. 
At this time the birds, although gregarious, had ceased to flock and 
associated in pairs. The male almost invariably was on watch while the 
female incubated. On the whole the birds were somewhat shy, and a 
careful approach was necessary to get within gun range. This was particu- 
larly true of the male. The female deserted the nest rather reluctantly 
and nearly always delayed doing so for some time after the male had given 
warning by flying away. On June 27, clutches of eggs of five to seven 
were seen, which in many cases, apparently, constituted the full set. 
Early in the laying period, the nests contain little down, but as laying 
and incubation progresses down is rapidly added. 
