OBSERVATIONS ON SOME HABITS. OF THE COOT 59 



OBSERVATIONS ON SOME HABITS OF 



THE COOT. 



By Henry Boase. 



The following notes on the habits of the Coot are summarised 

 from observations made on the conduct of various pairs 

 which have nested on an island in a small pond near 

 Invergowrie, Perthshire. This pond is without cover, the 

 banks are vertical brick-faced dykes, and its depth varies 

 from about 3 to 12 feet. 



Since 19 10, when a Coot was seen once only on 9th April, 

 the pond has been under observation, and in the succeeding 

 years a pair have been found to nest annually. As a summer 

 visitor, its first appearances are very irregular, and it is not 

 certain whether the first arrivals are those which subsequently 

 nest. The following are examples of these spring records : 



1912. One, 9th March; away by 23rd March; one, 

 30th March and on ; courting new arrival, 14th 

 April ; both gone, 20th April ; pair, 27th April, 

 remained and nested. 



1914. One, iSth January; gone by 8th February; one, 

 21st February; two courting, 15th March; one, 

 26th March ; pair, 29th March ; one, 4th April ; 

 pair, 20th April, remained and nested. 



All these may be incoming birds passing through, but 

 there is always a doubt whether these apparent goings and 

 comings refer to .the same or to different birds. On the 

 other hand, a pair which turned up on 22nd February 1913 

 remained and nested and no others were seen, though, in 

 this instance, probably no stranger would have been allowed 

 to remain. 



Courting antics have been witnessed once, and other less 

 complete opportunities have confirmed these in the main. 

 On 12th April 1912 two Coots were on the pond, one quite 

 at home on the island, and the other a stranger. The former, 

 apparently a male, seemed greatly excited, and the frontal 



