om Labrador to Greenland and
wintering south to New England.

A large Duck similar to the next species, but with the base of the bill
differing, as noted in the description of the following species, and
with a more northerly distribution. The nesting habits are the same as
those of the other Eiders. Six to ten eggs generally of a greenish drab
color. Size 3. x 2.

[Illustration 104: Steller's Duck. Spectacled Eider.]
[Illustration: Pale olive green.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 103

160. EIDER. _Somateria dresseri._

Range.--Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to Labrador and wintering
south to Delaware.

This species differs from the preceding only in the fleshy part of the
base of the bill, which extends back on each side of the forehead, it
being broad and rounded in this species and narrow and pointed in the
Northern or Greenland Eider. This species, but more especially the
Northern Eider, are the ones chiefly used for the eider-down of
commerce. The preceding species is often semi-domesticated in Greenland,
the people protecting them and encouraging them to nest in the
neighborhood. They make their nests of seaweed and grass and warmly line
it with down from their breast; this down is continually added to the
nest during incubation until there is a considerable amount in each
nest, averaging about an ounce in weight. The birds are among the
strongest of the sea ducks and get their food in very deep water. Their
flesh is not good eating. Their eggs number from five to ten and are
greenish drab. Size 3. x 2.

161. PACIFIC EIDER. _Somateria v-nigra._

Range.--North Pacific from the Aleutian Islands northward, and east to
Great Slave Lake.

This bird is, in plumage, like the Northern Eider, except that it has a
black V-shaped mark on the throat. They nest sparingly on the Aleutian
Islands, but in great numbers farther north on the coast about Point
Barrow. Their habits, nests and eggs are precisely the same as those of
the eastern forms. Their eggs number from five to ten and are of olive
greenish color. Size 3. x 2. Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 8, 1900.
Eight eggs. Nest a hollow in the moss, lined with grass and down.

[Illustration 105: Greenish drab.]
[Illustration: Eider. Pacific Eider.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 104

162. KING EIDER. _Somateria spectabilis._

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from Labrador to
Greenland and the Arctic Ocean; south