THE COOT. 407 



tail, showing the white underneath, he is quite a beauty, no 

 doubt, in the eyes of the female. 



In walking, and often in swimming, its head is moved 

 backward and forward like that of the Common Hen, so 

 that it frequently appears, while swimming, as if walking in 

 the water. The young are black, with a tinge of rust-red 

 about the head and neck. 



As the food of this bird is similar to that of the Rails 

 and the more edible Ducks, it is in fair demand for the 

 table. Dall reports it from Alaska, and Reinhardt from 

 Greenland, while its winter habitat is in the Southern States, 

 and may extend to the West Indies and Central America. 

 South America has a closely-allied species. 



