BALD COOT. 563 



shot be fired at it, when it rises at a very low angle, splashing 

 up the water with its wings and feet, proceeds but to a short 

 distance, and alighting conceals itself among the reeds or 

 equiseta, and remains there until the danger be over. Its 

 vigilance and distrust of man render it diificult to approach 

 other birds, such as Ducks or Grebes, that may be on the 

 same pool, it being almost sure to alarm them by its cries 

 and flight. It floats lightly on the water, swims sedately, 

 jerking its tail, and moving its neck backwards and forwards. 

 When much disturbed it often prefers swimming off" to a 

 distance from the shore, and there, when the water is exten- 

 sive enough for its safety, it may frequently be seen remaining 

 for hours, even apparently after it has ceased to be appre- 

 hensive of danger from the land. It dives with ease, and 

 sometimes eludes pursuit by retreating under the surface of 

 the water to emerge in a concealed part. In summer it 

 emits a very loud, abrupt cry, resembling the note of a 

 trumpet. 



Its nest, which is extremely large, and composed of 

 decayed flags, reeds, equiseta, and other plants, is placed 

 among reeds, equiseta, or willows, or sometimes in shallow 

 water, being built up to a considerable height. Sometimes 

 the nests are placed on small islands covered with herbage, 

 or in unfrequented places on the shores. Mr. Hewitson, 

 from personal inspection, says : — " They are large, and appa- 

 rently clumsy at first sight, but are amazingly strong and 

 compact ; they are sometimes built on a tuft of rushes, but 

 more commonly amongst reeds ; some are supported by those 

 that lie prostrate on the water, whilst others have their 

 foundations at its bottom, and are raised till they become 

 from six to twelve inches above its surface, sometimes in a 

 depth of one and a half or two feet. So firm are some of 

 them that, whilst up to the knees in water, they afforded me 

 a seat sufficiently strong to support my weight. They are 

 composed of flags and broken reeds, finer towards the inside, 

 and contain from seven to eight eggs." The materials vary 

 according to the locality, and frequently the nests are formed 

 entirely of equisetum limosum. " These birds," says Mon- 

 tagu, " place their nest amongst the flags upon the surface 



