FULICA. COOT. 559 



sixth equal to the first. Tail extremely short, arched, much 

 rounded, of twelve very weak, narrow, rounded feathers. 



The Coots are proportionally stouter than the Gallinules, 

 and decidedly aquatic. Their feet are accordingly better 

 adapted for swimming, and they move on the suface of the 

 water, and dive with as much dexterity and ease as many 

 ducks and other palmipede birds. Their residence is on 

 lakes, pools, rivers, and inlets of the sea, among the weeds, 

 sedges, and other tall aquatic plants, and their food consists 

 of mollusca, worms, insects, and especially seeds. They 

 build a very large nest of grasses, flags, and other plants, in 

 which are deposited from five to ten oval light-coloured eggs, 

 dotted and spotted with dusky. The young, at first covered 

 with stifiish black down, run about and swim immediately 

 after they are hatched. 



The species of this genus are few in number, and gene- 

 rally of dark and uniform colours. In Britain there is only 

 one, which is extensively distributed, but much more abundant 

 in the southern districts. 



