562 FULICA ATRA. 



toe 2-^j, its claw T V ; third toe %jj>, its claw -^ ; fourth toe 

 2^, its claw -f^. 



Female. — The female is similar to the male, the tints 

 only not quite so pure, and the size somewhat less. 



Variations. — Slight differences in the tints of the plu- 

 mage may be seen, some individuals being darker than 

 others ; but in general there is little variation. A very re- 

 markable variety, however, is not very unfrequently met 

 with, in which the colour is of a light brownish-grey, or 

 even brownish-white. 



Habits. — In summer the Coot is generally distributed in 

 Britain, being found in suitable localities in all parts from 

 the southern counties of England to the extreme north of 

 Scotland, as well as in the remote Hebrides and the Orkney 

 Islands ; but in winter it retires from the northern districts, 

 and accumulates in favourable places in the south. Viewed 

 with reference to the whole of Britain, it is a permanently 

 resident bird, though in most districts it is only a summer 

 visitant. In spring the great flocks that have collected 

 along the southern and eastern shores of England disperse. 

 In the south of Scotland it arrives in April, but in the north 

 not until the beginning of May. Its favourite places of 

 resort are large pools, lakes, or rivers, overgrown or mar- 

 gined with reeds, flags, sedges, water-lilies, and other aquatic 

 plants, among which it swims about in search of its food, 

 which consists of seeds, fresh blades of grass, mollusca, and 

 insects. In shallow pools or marshes densely covered with 

 Equisetum limosum I have seen paths made by it, from which 

 others diverged in all directions. Sometimes it makes ex- 

 cursions into the neighbouring fields, where it walks and 

 runs precisely in the same manner as the Water-hen, and 

 with equal ease, the lobes of its feet forming no impediment 

 to its free action ; but it is not so ready as that bird to quit 

 its safe retreat on the waters. It is extremely shy and vigi- 

 lant, instantly betakes itself to flight when approached, but 

 very seldom flies off unless one come suddenly upon it, or a 



