i34 J ul y> 



INSTINCT IN YOUNG COOTS. 



BY C M. CUNNINGHAM. 



While crossing the marshes with a friend some weeks ago 

 near Downpatrick a favourable opportunity occurred for 

 observing the characteristics of young Coots. The ground 

 consisted of a level stretch of black mud covered with tufts 

 of reeds (Phragmitcs communis) interspersed with plants of the 

 Great Water- dock (Rumex Hydrolapathuni) the tufts or 

 tussocks reaching as high as five or six feet in many instances. 

 On our line of advance towards the railway lay a Coot's nest, 

 with three young birds almost fresh from the shell and in the 

 downy stage. Alarmed at our approach, two of them fled and 

 had got some twelve yards away from the nest before we over- 

 took them. The colour of the birds so perfectly harmonised 

 with their surroundings that none but the sharpest eyes could 

 have detected them. One lay perfectly silent and motionless, 

 With its head close to the roots of some Water-docks ; the black 

 colour of the body matched the mud, the yellow and red of 

 the head and neck harmonised with the red and yellow colours 

 of the roots and stems of the Great Water-dock. The other 

 bird betrayed itself and its companion by loud and plaintive 

 chirping and efforts to get further away. After the birds had 

 got used to our presence, finding themselves unmolested, they 

 began to make their Way back to the nest, which was hidden 

 from them by several intervening tufts of reeds, and we stayed 

 by to see if they would find the nest unaided. Slowly and 

 surely, and with many a tumble and comical nutter on the 

 damp ground, they made their way homewards, making wide 

 circuits to avoid the obstacles in their path until they arrived 

 safely in the nest. Then lying all three close together again, 

 the resemblance to their surroundings was complete. 



How were they able to find their way back to their nest ? 

 It was difficult for a man to find it if he turned away from 

 it for a few moments, and the only physical aid was the 

 wind, which blew steadily from the nest in the direction in 

 which the birds had fled. Sight must have been of little or 

 no avail, as the intervening tufts of reeds would seem alpine 

 heights to these poor little nestlings. 



Malone Road, Belfast 



