EIDER.
nrc seldom slow m availing themselves nf it. T frequently observed tin* CL-g-^'therer (win) is placed in
charge of the feathered inhabitants of the islands) stroke the old birds on the hack while silting, and even
lift them off their nests, without the slightest signs of alarm or resentment being shown. The males, however,
were far less confiding, sitting in parties on the water at n distance of sixty or one hundred Tarda, and seldom
permitting a near approach; at daybreak I have seen t hem resting on the roeks, but continually on the alert and
evidently suspicious of danger. The downy lining of the nest is exceedingly light and warm; it is, however,
usually intermixed (either by the old bird hers.'If or accidentally by the force of the wind) with quantities of
small broken strands of the stems or plants, fibres of grass or roots, and other rubbish.
The young birds at the nge of a fortnight or three weeks arc slightly smaller than a Teal, covered with
a dull sooty down. The colouring of the soft parts, taken from specimens obtained about the middle of
June 1^(17 near the inland of i''idra in the Firth of Forth, may he described as follows :—Beak a pale brown
with a decided slate tinge, nail lighter; the legs and toes of much the same tint, the webs very slightly darker;
A strong breeze bad suddenly risen while in pursuit of these juveniles, and after a chase of several hours, when
our object was at last accomplished, we landed on Fidra for rest and refreshment, selecting our quarters so as to
obtain shelter on an immense pile of stones that appeared to have been recently heaped up against the face of
the cliffs. An old and favourite knife having l>een left, behind, the spot was revisited on the following day,
when n large cavity surrounded by slabs of rock and stone, evidently thrown down from the mass that previously
existed, at once attracted attention; and there was little doubt that our crew had passed several hours on an
extensive cari;o of smuggled goods, so carefully concealed that its presence bad failed to arouse the slightest
suspicion.
On the 7th of September 18711 fell in with three drakes resting on the water half a mile outside Fidra,
and noticing that their plumage differed considerably from that of Ibe adults we ran down upon them before
a light easterly breeze; the wind, however, was not sufficiently strom,-, and the birds rising at a long distance,
one only was obtained. The age of this specimen (which is figured in Plate I I I . ) appears doubtful; in all
probability, however, it exhibits one of the intermediate stages assumed during the seeoud or third year.
The bill, when closely examined, was of a dirty olive-yellow, with a slate tinge towards the base; nail a pale
yellow; legs and toes olive-yellow, webs a dull brownish grey. On the following day the Firth and nlso tho
shores of the islands were agaiu carefully searched for the two remaining drakes, but without success,
three or four large Hucks of females or immature birds and a few broods of young being the only Eiders
that came in view. On the 11th, the weather lieing too squally to go afloat, I followed the coast-line round
as far as Gullane, to learn what Eiders were along the shore. So males could be discerned, though largo
numbers, cither females or immature birds, were sheltering from the effects of the gate under the rocks at
Ebris. Sot till the Kith could we again put to sea, when, taking a strong crew, so as to row four long
oars, I explored all the islands and the shore as far as Aherlady Bay. Again I failed to detect a single
drake; several broods, however, were met with at sea about a mile off Gullane, and, though desirous of
obtaining a specimen, the whole succeeded in effecting their escape by diving and swimming; judging
by their actions it was doubtful whether they were yet able to fly. Towards evening a brood was
surprised among the outlying rocks otf the shore, and three birds having lieen Stopped by the two
barrels, the remainder of the family were allowed to make their way out to the open waters of the
Firth. The old female, evidently moulting, bad unfortunately fallen a victim; her plumage when examined
was found to be both faded and worn, the wings also were nearly deficient in primaries. The juveniles proved
to lie full-liedL-ed, exceedingly weighty and but slightly smaller than their parent: tho markings on the
plumage wen* small or mottled, the general tone decidedly colder than that exhibited by adult femah-s, the
warm brown tints so conspicuous on the breast, back, flanks, and wing-coverts of the latter befog entirely
EIDER.
wanting. The colours of the soft parts taken down on the spot may he thus described :—Beaka a dusky olivegreen
with a shade of yellow towards the point, nail lighter; legs and toes a dull greenish yellow, webs a dark
grey; iris hazel.
The plumage of the adult males, I conclude from observations made on fresh-killed specimens, may
lie considered to he in the most perfect state about the end of January. So early as April the feathers
show signs of wear, becomiuc by degrees more shabby till tho general moult lakes place towards the close
of summer.
Largo numbers of drakes frequented the Firth of Forth a few yean back ; in May ISM and again
in 1SII7 I repeatedly remarked Hocks numbering from twenty to thirty, unaccompanied for the most put by
females, making their way along the coast to tho east of Dunbar. These birds usually flew in single file at
the distance of about six feet apart, the long string of piebald fowl presenting a most singular and striking
appearance. At this season, though their colours seem bright when viewed on wing, Ihe plumage if cbr-cly
examined will be found to have losl much of the yloss anil beauty cxhilulcd a few monlhs earlier. During
the latter end of May 1SG7, while staying at Canty Bay for the purpose of obtaining specimens in the adult
summer plumage, 1 succeeded in procuring several drakes, and discovered that the whole of the primaries
as well as the tail had faded to a rusty brown lint; the sickle-shaped secondaries were nlso much frayed
at the points, in some h i Unci's the quills being perfectly hare. Several authors describe the inner elongated
curved secondaries as white ; this I have only found to be the case in males showing immature plnnuge :
these feathers on adults in the most perfect state are pale huff with a aalphwrona tinge.
The number of Eiders that resorted to this part of the coast twenty years back may be imagined by
the following abridged remarks from my notes concerning the specimens descrilied above.
Under the impression on the Httl of May (wind blowing strong from the cast with a heavy sea rolling
into the bay) that the flocks which had hitherto proved utterly unapproachable would he sheltering on tho
rocks nud in the still water to Ihe west of the island, I went afloat and proceeded up the 1'irlh. In n small
creek on the suuth side of Fidra a landing was effected at the second or third attempt; and by crawling
over the slippery ledges of weed-srown rock 1 succeeded in reaching a point from which I was enabled
to examine the western shore. At least thirty drakes, the majority in full pliiinau'e, were loatmg on tho
water, a few ducks and immature birds lieing also scattered here and there, while within ten yards of
my place of concealment a dozen old males rested quietly in fancied security, with heads turned over
on their backs. After watching the assemblage for some time, I secured sufficient specimens lo meet all
requirements in three shots, and further slaughter being unnecessary, Eiders were Unmolested for the
remainder of the day. The same birds io all probability were agaiu encouutered to the west or F.bris;
another party, however, consisting of over twenty females and one male, rose on our approach, and after
wheeling for a time over the breakers, settled among the rocks on the shore to the east of Gullane.
Many Other chances for procuring specimens were offered by birds feeding along the sands; and 1 have
not the slightest hesilalion in staling that, had there l>oen any necessity, at least fifty Eiders might have
been shot before we finally made the land. Unable to return by sea lo Canty Bay, owing to the force or
the wind and easterly swell, we ran ashore in Gullane Bay and, procuring a cart, brought our craft home
by road. On all subsequent visils to this part of (lie coast I remarked that toilers had greatly decreased in
nui idicrs.
On several occasions while shooting in the Channel about Kye Bay and off Pcvcnsey Level during the
winter moolhs of 1858 and the four following years, flocks of Large fowl, which I failed to identify, owing to
their excessive v> ilduess, wen* sightiil a few miles off the laud. Owing to the remarks iu several works in my
possession concerning the distribution of tins species, I remained iu ignorance that the Eider was a regular
autumn ami winter visitor to the English Channel till on January the 8th, 1881, a coast-gunner (who had seen