COOTS. 227 



ering the margins of the lower, somewhat curved, the base spreading 

 out into a naked membrane over the forehead, and sometimes accu- 

 mulating into a crest-like appendage ; the lower mandible boat-like 

 (or navicular.) Nostrils in the furrow, medial, lateral, concave, 

 oblong, pervious, half closed by a turgid membrane. Feet mod- 

 erate, situated far back, naked space above the tarsus small ; tarsus 

 compressed, almost edged behind; anterior toes very long, nearly 

 divided to the base, on either side margined by a broad scalloped 

 membrane ; hind toe bearing on the ground, edged on the inner side 

 with an entire membrane. Wings moderate, rounded, 1st primary 

 equal witli the 5th, 2d and 3d longest. Tail short and narrow, of 

 12 or 14 feathers.* 



The two sexes nearly alike in plumage ; and the young scarcely 

 distinguishable from the adult : individuals differ greatly in size. The 

 frontal disk varies much among adult individuals : the moult takes 

 place twice in the year, without producing any material change 

 in the colors of the plumage, which is thick, close and impermeable 

 to water. The general color of all the species is inclining to 

 black. 



The Coots are more decidedly aquatic than the Gallinules, they 

 are indeed rarely seen on land ; they live, however, in salt as well 

 as fresh waters, and swim and dive with the utmost facility : they 

 frequent gulfs and bays, but never venture out upon the sea; yet 

 they voyage as well as reside upon the water, where the route is 

 sheltered by the proximity of land. The Coots are also noctur- 

 nal in their habits, the old birds being rarely seen by day ; the young 

 are less shy, playful, and easily approached, but generally elude the 

 gunner, by promptly diving at the flash ; they also often collect 

 certain kinds of food beneath the water, so that they are habitual 

 divers, and feed on small fish, insects, molusca, and aquatic plants. 

 They walk with difficulty, from the awkward situation of their legs, 

 being placed far behind the centre of the body ; it is indeed seldom 

 that they ever attempt to proceed by land, except, occasionally from 

 one pond to another, and they generally take wing if the distance 

 be of any magnitude ; on the ground their progress is so futile, that 

 they are easily overtaken and caught by hand. The Coot takes wing 

 also with difficulty, and during day time, only when driven to emer- 

 gencies, sometimes even burrowing into the mud, rather than rise 

 from the water ; when they make the attempt, they rise on the sur- 

 face of their favorite element, spread the wings, and then flutter and 



