5G0 



FULICA ATRA. THE BALD COOT. 



COMMON COOT. CUTE. QUEET. BALD DUCK. 



Fig. 54. 



Fulica atra. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. 257. 



Fulica atra. Lath. Ind. Orn. II. 777. 



Common Coot and Greater Coot. Mont. Ornith. Diet. 



Foulque macroule. Fulica atra. Temm. Man. d'Orn. II. 706. 



Fulica atra. Common Coot. Flem. Brit. Anim. 100. 



Common Coot. Fulica atra. Selb. Illustr. Brit. Ornith. II. 193. 



Fulica atra. Common Coot. Jen. Brit. Vert, Anim. 221. 



Fulica atra. Bonap. Comp. List, 53. 



The head and upper part of the neck greyish-black; the 

 upper parts dark bluish-grey , the lower broionish-grey ; the 

 frontal plate xvhite, as are the ends of the mandibles. 



Male. — The Coot, which is the largest British bird of 

 the Parrine family, is very similar in form to the Water-hen. 

 Its body is bulky, but compressed ; its neck of moderate 

 length ; its head rather small and oblong. The bill is about 

 the length of the head, straight, stout, compressed, tapering, 



