196 
THE EIDER-DUCK. 
touch their eggs, return in a rage. Many of 
them suffer themselves to he handled, and can 
only be removed by actual force from their nests. 
In some parts of the island, where they are more 
particularly attended to, they build their nests on 
the roofs of the houses, and become quite fami- 
liar with the inhabitants. The nests are constructed 
of sea- weed, and lined with the finest down, plucked 
from their breasts. 
As soon as it is observed that the first eggs are 
laid, they are removed, and the nests at the same 
time robbed of the down; and this is repeated a 
second or a third time ; but it is generally found, 
that if they are robbed more than twice, they begin 
to desert the place, and if pillaged oftener, they quit 
it entirely. 
A few days after the young Ducks leave the egg, 
they proceed to the water, under the guidance of 
their dam, who swims with them on her back to 
some distance, when, making a sudden dive, she 
abandons them to themselves, and re-appearing, 
tempts them to come towards her ; so that, on the 
first trial, they commonly become expert swimmers. 
When the breeding-season is over, they generally 
stand out to sea ; yet numbers are seen frequenting 
the bays and creeks about the coast. 
The eggs furnish excellent food to the inhabitants, 
and the down is bought on the spot at about thirteen 
or fourteen shillings a pound, by merchants, who 
send it to different parts of the world. It is used 
chiefly for making bed coverings, on account of its 
exceeding lightness as well as warmth ; a large bed- 
quilt, soihetimes weighing only five pounds three 
