File:The birds of Europe (1837) (14564221637).jpg

Identifier: birdsEuropeVGoul (find matches)
Title: The birds of Europe
Year: 1837 (1830s)
Authors: Gould, John, 1804-1881
Subjects: Pictorial works Birds
Publisher: London, Printed by R. and J.E. Taylor, pub. by the author
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
e, and although of real utility to the professed ornithologist, are less likely to interest thegeneral reader. The only information we can communicate respecting the present bird is, that it inhabits the southerndistricts of Europe, particularly Sardinia and the Asiatic borders. The crown of the head, back of the neck, the whole of the upper surface, flanks, and tail, of dull ashybrown, each feather being tipped with dirty white; outer webs of the quill-feathers greyish brown, tips of theinner webs the same colour as the upper surface; secondaries pale brown ; cheeks and throat marked in thesame manner as the upper surface, but much lighter; breast and the whole of the under surface dirty white,each feather being barred near its extremity with dull ashy brown, which, together with the white tips of thefeathers on the upper surface, gives it somewhat the appearance of marble, whence its name; bill and feetdark brown. The Plate represents an adult bird rather less than the natural size.
Text Appearing After Image:
Q ■^ S a s 3 I Genus SOMATERIA, Leach. Gen. Char. Beak swollen at the base, elevated, extending up the forehead, and divided by atriangular projection of feathers; towards the tip narrow and blunt. Nostrils small, placedin the middle of the beak. EIDER DUCK. Anas mollissima, Linn.Somateria mollissima, Leach.Le Canard Eider. The Eider Duck in its wild state is one of those birds which confer important services upon the human race.Its soft and exquisite down is an extensive article of commerce ; and so great is the demand for it, that theinhabitants of the northern islands of Great Britain, together with those of Lapland, Iceland and Greenland,use every means to encourage the Eider to breed on their shores, in order that they may obtain from its nestthis valuable material. It is scarcely ever found to incubate on the main land, but chooses the small islandsscattered along the coast; and of this disposition the inhabitants take advantage by insulating small portions ofground, which ena

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