The scourge of the Eider duck compounded the effects of overfishing. The 'Scarer' frightened the huge marauding flocks of Eider that ate anchovies from the nets, like locusts. Even shoals up to 5 fathoms deep were attacked by this vicious diving duck. Use of the 'Scarers' led to riots by pluckers from local bedding factories in 1883 and 1892. Severe injuries were averted as the pluckers were armed only with pillows.