COOT. 331 



and a white line on the flanks. In first plumage the bird is 

 rusty grey, whitish grey beneath. The shield and base of the 

 bill are vermilion, and the tip yellow in mature birds, but the 

 bright colour of these in the nestling fades in three weeks or so 

 to green. The legs are green with a red and yellow "garter" 

 above the heel, incorrectly called the knee. This band and the 

 red frontal are not always developed in the first autumn. The 

 irides, really banded, appear red. Length, 13 ins. Wing, 

 675 ins. Tarsus, 175 ins. 



Coot. Fulica atra Linn. 



The Coot (Plate 145) is found throughout Europe and 

 temperate Asia and Africa ; it is resident in all parts of the 

 British Isles, but in the northern part of its range is migratory, 

 and there is some movement south from Scotland and the 

 northern isles. Its haunts are the larger waters, including slow 

 rivers, and in winter many seek the coast. 



The Coot is a heavy, rather clumsily built bird, slate-grey 

 with a white bill and spear-shaped frontal plate, which though 

 slightly tinged with pink looks Chinese white at a distance; 

 this frontal is responsible for the name " Bald Coot." Swim- 

 ming Coots may be told from dark ducks by the bobbing 

 movements of their heads ; if disturbed they run along the 

 surface, splashing vigorously before getting clear, and this 

 same splashing rush is common when one bird chases another. 

 The wings move rapidly in flight, and the bird gets up some 

 speed, flying straight, but always looks heavy ; its legs 

 trail behind its tail. It frequently feeds on grass or grain 

 on the banks, but seldom ventures far from the water, and 

 runs quickly with head low, and with beating wings, if it 

 fears danger. Hard frost drives it to the sea, but it will 

 remain after all grebes and ducks have left, and if then it 

 attempts to alight on the ice, shdes forward on its breast, and 



