THE EIDER DUOK. 
67 
wonderful that in the long lines in which we saw them travelling, we did 
not on any occasion discover among’ them a young bird, or one not in its 
mature plumage. The young males, if they breed before they acquire their 
full colouring, must either be by themselves at this period, or with the 
barren females, which, as I have already said, separate from those that are 
breeding. I am inclined to believe that the old males commence their 
southward migration before the females or the young, as none were to be 
seen for about a fortnight before the latter started. In winter, when these 
Ducks are found on the Atlantic shores of the United States, the males and 
females are intermingled ; and at the approach of spring, the mated pairs 
travel in great flocks, though disposed in lines, when you can distinctly see 
individuals of both sexes alternating. 
The flight of the Eider is firm, strong, and generally steady. They 
propel themselves by constant beats of the wings, undulating their lines 
according to the inequality of surface produced by the waves, over which 
they pass at the height of a few yards, and rarely more than a mile from the 
shores. Few fly across the Gulf of St. La wrence, as they prefer following 
the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, to the eastern entrance of the 
straits of Belle Isle, beyond which many proceed farther north, while others 
ascend that channel and settle for the season along the shores of Labrador, 
as far up as Partridge Bay, and still farther up the St. Lawrence. Whilst 
on our waters, or at their breeding grounds, the Eiders are not unfrequently 
seen flying much higher than when travelling, but in that case they seem 
to be acting with the intention of guarding against their enemy man. The 
volocity of their flight has been ascertained to be about eighty miles in the 
hour. 
This species dives with great agility, and can remain a considerable 
time under water, often going down in search of food to the depth of eight 
or ten fathoms, or even more. When wounded, however, they soon become 
fatigued in consequence of the exertion used in diving, and may be over- 
taken by a well-manned boat in the course of half an hour or so, as when 
fatigued they swim just below the surface, and may be struck dead with 
an oar or a boat-hook. 
Their food consists principally of shell-fish, the shells of which they seem 
to have the power of breaking into pieces. In many individuals which I 
opened, I found the entrails almost filled with small fragments of shells 
mixed with other matter. Crustaceous animals and their roe, as well as that 
of various fishes, I also found in their stomach, along with pebbles some- 
times as large as a hazel nut. The oesophagus, which is in form like a bag. 
and is of a leathery firm consistence, was often found distended with food, 
and usually emitted a very disagreeable fishy odour. The gizzard is ex- 
